Durant Walmart celebrated its grand re-opening last week after a 16-week remodel, and the company says it is committed to providing customers with the best assortment, prices and overall experience.
The event included a ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and Choctaw dancers were present. The Durant High School Band and Sparklers also performed during the celebration. The Boy Scouts presented the colors.
The enhancements include: - Merchandise displays that pull customers in and help them touch, feel and become a part of the space.
- Transformed departments, plus expansion of online pickup and delivery.
- New pharmacy updates with the addition of a wellness room.
- Fully remodeled bathrooms, including a mother’s room.
- Reconfigured store layout creating more space for customers to explore and discover what their local store has to offer.
- Refreshed interior and exterior with new signage for easier navigation through the stores and exterior updates to the parking lot and landscaping.
Walmart manager Matthew Seegel said the enhancements will make shopping more convenient and enjoyable for their valued customers.
“With the expanded pharmacy, in particular, we’re offering a faster, more seamless experience, saving our shoppers time and effort,” Seegel said.
Seegel has been store manager for 10 months and he said Walmart is here to serve the community.
“This is all about innovations to help our community, to make things better,” Seegel said. “The big thing is we want to serve our community and have everyone happy.”
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton spoke during the event.
“Halito, everybody,” Batton said. “It’s an honor to be here to be a part of this re-grand opening and I appreciate Matt so very much for putting our language (in the store),” Batton said. “He was just telling me, this is the first store that not only has English, and it has Spanish, but it has Choctaw language in it. So, we’re very proud of that. Matt, we just want to say, yakoke, just thank you so very much for honoring our heritage and our culture. That’s just such an honor for us and we’re so proud to be a part of the Durant community.”
Seegel thanked his associates.
“To my team, man, I’ve been here for nine months, 10 months now and this team is just phenomenal, man,” Seegel said. “Any adversity they have, the take ownership of it, they own it. I just can’t say thank you enough to every single one of them.”
He also thanked the Durant Police Department.
“I mean y’all are just great,” Seegel said. “You come out anytime we need you. The good, bad, you’re always here for us. You always support the community. Durant High School, you all are just great, man, and I know it’s homecoming too. Thank you for coming out. To my other vendors, First United Bank, thank you … you take care of the community.”
He also thanked Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper and Pepsi before reading a quote from Walmart founder Sam Walton.
“One day Sam said a long time ago, there’s only one boss,” Seegel said. “It’s all of y’all, customers, (who) can fire any one of us just by taking your money elsewhere and I would say now, we want you here. We want you to know that you’re part of our community and we want to be part of our community, and if you every need something from us, we’re here for you.”
Walmart presented checks to the Durant Police Reserves, Oklahoma State Game Wardens, Boys & Girls Club and Texoma Family Shelter.
“The one good thing about helping the community is giving when we can give,” Seegel said.
