Walmart Supercenter opens on Gandy Boulevard

GANDY — The world's largest retailer just got a little bigger. The latest Walmart Supercenter opened Oct. 27 at 4302 Gandy Blvd. The location will employ about 300 people where a Sticks 'N' Stuff and the Pleasure Zone Adult Supercenter were once located. The 145,000-square-foot store features a fresh layout with wide aisles and bright colors inside. The 24-hour store has a pharmacy, grocery store and more than 30 other departments. Plans for the store has been in the works for three years, with some residents concerned about its impact on their community. Reached this week, Al Steenson, president of the Gandy/Sun Bay South Civic Association, was concerned about increased traffic on Lois Avenue. "I think it's going over well but we'll see what happens through the holidays," he said. Above left, Martha Alderman hands out holiday food shopping lists to Marion Skinner, center, and Minnie Sutton, right, as they entered the store on opening day. All three live in the Bayshore Presbyterian apartments in Tampa and are members of the Bayshore Belles chapter of the Red Hat Society. Jared Leone, Times staff writer