3 towns getting express stores

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s latest small-format stores are in the works for Prairie Grove, Gravette and Gentry, according to records.

Planning documents indicate that the Bentonville-based retailer intends to build 15,000-square-foot stores in each community.

Bill Simon, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart’s U.S. operations, introduced the small-format Wal-Mart Express stores during Tuesday’s earnings release.

Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo confirmed Wednesday that the company is building one of the stores in Gentry. Wal-Mart did not return e-mail or phone messages Friday requesting information about stores in Gravette or Prairie Grove. Dirt work is under way on the Gentry store.City planning documents list the project as a new retail building.

David McNair, the town’s building inspector, said site work is all that has been approved for the building near South Gentry Boulevard and South Collins Avenue.

In Prairie Grove, a permit for a new building lists ownership as Wal-Mart Express, said Larry Oelrich, Prairie Grove director of administrative services and public works.

He said the project went through the planning process as a “proposed retail business.” Prairie Grove requires ownership disclosure to obtain permits, Oelrich said.

The Prairie Grove store is to be next to the Bank of Fayetteville on West BuchananStreet on the town’s west side.

Mike von Ree, Gravette’s Planning Commission chairman and the town’s recorder/ treasurer, said a public hearing is set for March to deal with site development for a 15,000-square-foot “new retail building.”

The building is to be at the site of the old Gravette Hospital at 800 First Ave. S.E.

The Gravette City Council has approved a construction waiver for the property allowing construction to begin.

On Jan. 12, Aaron Cooper of Henderson Engineers in Lowell filed for permits with the Arkansas Department of Health for a “retail store” in Prairie Grove, Gentry and Gravette.

He said Friday that he could not comment about the projects.

David Haake, executive vice president of Henderson Engineers, said Friday that the firm has worked with Wal-Mart in the past, but he would not comment about any current projects.

The late Fran Henderson, founder of the Lenexa-Kan.-based engineering company, helped develop Wal-Mart’s supercenter format, Haake confirmed.

Business, Pages 24 on 02/26/2011

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