WAHPETON, N.D. - Following a grand opening celebration, a Wal-Mart Supercenter opened here this morning.
The 99,000-square-foot Supercenter is the first Wal-Mart in the Wahpeton area and employs 205 people.
Prior to its grand opening, Wal-Mart held a preview night Sunday, where the company donated $33,250 to area organizations.
Wahpeton has lost a lot of local and regional shoppers to Fargo and Fergus Falls, Minn. because it hasn't had a big box retailer, said Mayor Jim Sturdevant, who hopes the Supercenter will help draw people from surrounding areas into Wahpeton's downtown.
Local grocery store owner Russ Graves of Jubilee Foods in Breckenridge, Minn., said his business will be affected by the Wal-Mart, but he expects to keep many of his loyal customers.
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"The circle you draw on in business, there are only so many people in that circle," he said. "It's going to affect us, there's no doubt. It's going to change how people shop."
Read more in tomorrow's Forum.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Tracy Frank at (701) 241-5526
