Expanded 24-Hour Walmart Ready For Friday Reveal

The expanded Avon Walmart will debut on Friday, Aug. 2 starting with a brief 7:30 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony.

The expansion adds approximately 34,000 square feet to the existing store and will allow for a larger selection of merchandise for customers including expanded dairy and frozen foods departments. New departments include fresh produce, meat, deli and bakery.

The store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The grand-opening celebration also includes presentations of grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation to local community groups including Community Resource Services, Avon/Avon Lake Police departments and Avon Fire Department.

The expansion means another 80 jobs injected into Avon’s and Lorain County's economy . It earned the praise of Neighborhood Alliance Vice President Dawn Meyer.

“On behalf of the Neighborhood Alliance, I'm pleased to congratulate Walmart and their associates on their newly expanded store,” Meyer said. “Walmart is such an asset to our community and to our organization. They have generously provided volunteers, resources and financial assistance to our programs. We appreciate their community-minded spirit and their commitment to helping our neighbors in Lorain County.”

Neighbohood Alliance, based in Elyria, provides emergency shelter, daily meal delivery and nutrition services for seniors, childcare and child enrichment programs. 

The store employs approximately 300 full- and part-time associates, including approximately 80 positions created by the expansion. Store manager Tammy Pistore began her Walmart career in 1993 as an hourly associate working as a customer service manager.

“Our associates are looking forward to a fun grand-opening celebration and cannot wait to welcome Avon shoppers as we open the doors to our newly expanded store,” Pistore said.

The store will continue celebrating the store expansion on Saturday with “A Big Family Welcome.”

A Big Family Welcome will give customers a chance to meet Pistore and enjoy family activities including face painting, cupcake decorating and free food samples while supplies last from noon to 3 p.m.

The store is located at 35901 Chester Road in Avon.