No. 24 Walmart Supercenter, Sam's Club expansions

Retail shopping in Springfield changed forever in 1993, when the city’s first Walmart Supercenter opened at 2825 N. Kansas Expressway.

The region already was dotted with Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s traditional retail stores. The Supercenter concept changed consumers’ habits with the addition of groceries, a deli, bakery, produce and 24-hour shopping at the megaretailer.

Springfield is now home to five Walmart Supercenters, including one in the former North Town Mall.

 The centers are known to spur additional business development, with some companies, including clothing retailer Cato, often choosing sites near Walmart Supercenter locations.

The advent of the supercenter concept isn’t the only change Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) brought to
Springfield. In 1987, the retailer opened the city’s first Sam’s Club at 3660 E. Sunshine St. The members-only club offers bulk quantities at lower prices in a warehouse-style shopping environment.

A second Springfield Sam’s opened in July 2009 at 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive.

See the full list of pivotal points chosen by the Springfield Business Journal here.
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