Hundreds Turn Out for Pullman Walmart Grand Opening

(L-R) 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale and Darryl Bowles, Walmart Store Manager, cut the ribbon marking the grand opening of the new Pullman, Walmart Supercenter at 10900 S. Doty Ave. last Wednesday.
Photo by Deborah Bayliss
(L-R) 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale and Darryl Bowles, Walmart Store Manager, cut the ribbon marking the grand opening of the new Pullman, Walmart Supercenter at 10900 S. Doty Ave. last Wednesday. Photo by Deborah Bayliss

Throngs of customers filed into the new Pullman Walmart Supercenter last Wednesday morning following a brief, ceremonial ribbon cutting by 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale and Walmart store manager, Darryl Bowles.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Bowles who thanked Ald. Beale and Walmart. “We’re looking forward to serving our customers in Pullman.”


Nyeema Bey purchases school shirts and produce at the new Walmart Supercenter last Wednesday morning as one of the store's very first customers. Photo by Deborah Bayliss

The grand opening followed a pre-grand opening that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended (last Tuesday) at Walmart’s 10900 S. Doty, location.

“Today is a great day in the 9th Ward,” said Beale who thanked 9th Ward residents for their support. “There will be a host of other stores coming in. We are on the move in the 9th Ward.”

The Supercenter offers one-stop shopping convenience. Patrons can find apparel, electronics, toys, a full line of groceries, including organic and natural selections and fill prescriptions.

Walmart customer, Nyeema Bey resides in the South Suburbs and was there bright and early for the store’s grand opening.

“I’m here to purchase school shirts for my two grandsons and I also picked up some produce,” Bey said as she learned she was one of the store’s very first customers.

Adelaide Randall was also on hand for the grand opening.

“I reside in Roseland and I’ve seen things come and go,” Randall said, pointing out that she is a member of the Senior Advisory Committee. “We attended City Council meetings whenever Ald. Beale asked us to be there.”

Marie Davis said she’s happy the new Walmart is there otherwise she would have to go to 95th Street or Country Club Hills.


Pictured with Urban Partnership Bank employees wearing orange shirts, from center: Marcus Bennett, manager of the new Urban Partnership Bank financial center; 9th Ward Ald., Anthony Beale; and Urban Partnership Bank President and CEO, William Farrow, take part of Urban Partnership Bank's grand opening, ribbon cutting last Wednesday morning. The bank is located inside the new Pullman Walmart Supercenter, 10900 S. Doty Ave. Photo by Deborah Bayliss

Some Walmart patrons will have the benefit of banking at the new store location. That is because Urban Partnership Bank was chosen by Walmart to occupy their new retail space specifically to serve the needs of the Pullman and Roseland communities and to help accelerate and continue revitalization there.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to participate in the rebirth of these historic and diverse communities,” said William Farrow, President and CEO of Urban Partnership Bank. “This area has a remarkable past and a promising future and we want to do our part to act as a catalyst for its continued success.”

To help celebrate its grand opening, from now until Sept. 21, Urban Partnership Bank is giving coupons, special gifts, and bonuses to customers who open a new Urban Partnership, Checking, Savings or Money Market account with a $25 minimum deposit, and those who use the bank’s debit card for purchases at the Pullman store or any other Walmart location.

“The new location is the latest step in Urban Partnership Bank’s mission to build stronger urban communities and more secure financial futures for the people who live there,” said Urban Partnership Bank’s Pullman Financial Center Manager, Marcus Bennett.

The new Walmart store has 400 full and part-time associates and is still hiring. To apply for jobs, please visit Walmart.com.

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