New Walmart store opens at Northline Commons

The new Walmart store at the corner of Crosstimbers and Fulton was busy into the late hours from its very first night after opening.

Shoppers were lined up outside the new Walmart at Northline Commons last Wednesday morning, at least an hour before the store opened for the first time at 8 a.m.
Enthusiasm was just as high inside the store at the official ribbon cutting, as about 200 guests and “associates” as the employees are called, listened to talks about how the efforts it took to get this massive store opened.

Store manager Paulo Morales was the official host, but many Walmart officials, local government officials such as Congressman Gene Green, state representative Armando Walle, and business persons were on hand for the opening. Green mentioned that he grew up in the immediate neighborhood, and welcomed the hundreds of jobs the store will provide, as well as new tax revenue, and community support for local organizations. Walmart announced at a reception Tuesday night that they were donating $25,000 to several local organizations, including the Houston Food Bank, LaRosa Family Services, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and various schools within the community.
Also present were representatives of the local Greater Northside Management District, Rebecca Reyna, and the Northline Commons Manager Jeff Procell, with the representative of Berenson Associates, the property owners, Eugene O’Brien.
Northline Commons has undergone a complete transformation in the past three years, since Berenson Associates announced they would demolish the former Northline Mall in order to provide a more shopper-friendly convenient retail environment.
New Stores in the Commons includ Marshall’s, Ross, Office Depot, Conn’s, The Children’s Place, Verizon, Foot Locker, Shoe Carnival, Al’s Formal Wear, Urban Zone, Rainbow Fashions, Foot Action, Dollar Tree and others, including Palais Royal.
Restaurants include IHOP, Cici’s Pizza, Papa’s Barbecue, China Star Buffet, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Chuck E. Cheese.
Jeff Procell, general manager of Northline Commons, stated that “we are proud and excited to have Walmart join our tenant mix,” he said. Procell noted that Walmart would participate in supporting community giving and events, such as the Cinco de Mayo Festival, the partnership with Neighborhood Centers, Inc. for the Back-to-School Health Fair, and the annual toys and food baskets for need families in the Northline neighborhood.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, students from Washington High School performed the national anthem and presented the colors. Cake and punch were served to the guests.
The new store is 194,000 square feet in size, and is open 24 hours a day. It carries full line of groceries, as well as 30 merchandise departments. It also has a drive-thru pharmacy and digital photo processing.
The store expects to employ 410 new associates. The average wage for full-time employees in Texas is approximately $12.53 per hour, according to a press release.