Ponderay Walmart celebrates grand reopening

PONDERAY — Walmart customers in Ponderay were welcomed inside the newly transformed Supercenter as a much-anticipated remodel of the story was completed in late May. The remodel marks a fresh chapter for the Ponderay store as the project comes with new updates and expanded offerings that will save customers time and money.

New store upgrades and features unveiled at the event included a new entryway mural to represent the Ponderay community, expanded grocery sections offering a larger assortment of items, and an expanded sports department for more brands and products. The store also features an updated pharmacy and vision center with new luxury brand eyewear, new fashion displays highlighting popular brands, and expanded online pickup and delivery for improved efficiency and speed. 

Additional improvements include a mother's room, refreshed interior and exterior with new signage for easier navigation through the store, exterior updates to the parking lot and landscaping, and a reconfigured store layout creating more space for shoppers.

Walmart associates and local organizations honored the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 31, community celebration and the unveiling of a community-inspired mural. The store also presented $6,500 in donations to local organizations. The event was attended by Sandpoint High School performing the national anthem, community organizations and local emergency services.

"We're excited for the community to see our new and improved store," said Ponderay store manager Joshua Galvin. "Our store will have new, bigger aisles, which offer more room for shoppers. We've also expanded various departments across the store, allowing us to add additional products."

To further demonstrate Walmart's commitment to the communities it serves, the store team presented $6,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations. The recipients included $2,500 to City of Priest for the development of a playground, $2,000 to Sandpoint Lions Club for community programs, and $2,000 to Battle Born Outdoors.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the store's new mural. The mural is an eye-catching installation that reflects the diversity and local cultures that make the Ponderay community great.

This mural is part of Walmart's Community Mural Program, one of the largest public-facing art installations celebrating communities across America. Walmart's Community Mural Program is an important part of each store transformation and furthers Walmart's commitment to the local community. Mural photo accessible here.

This remodel adds to the $169.5 million invested in local Idaho communities and stores over the past five years by Walmart. This year, the company announced two new remodels in Idaho, with Ponderay being one of them.