Walmart
Supercenter, located at 8331 S. Stewart Ave., in Chatham is set to
reopen after being damaged during days of unrest this summer,
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The remodeled store will include a new health center that will
include primary care services.
Months after the Walmart Supercenter in the city’s Chatham
neighborhood was damaged during days of unrest that followed a
Minneapolis police killing, it will reopen Friday with expanded
services, including a health center, officials said.
The retail store, located at 8331 S. Stewart Ave., plans to
reopen Friday morning months after it was shuttered after the death
of George Floyd in Minnesota ignited unrest around the country.
People took items from inside the store, located just off the Dan
Ryan Expressway.
Many in the community initially worried the national chain
wouldn’t reopen the location, but weeks later Walmart announced
it would.
“We have reflected on recent events and decided we want to
stay,” wrote Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart, in a
statement. “And not just stay, but expand our investment. We want
to return as stronger and more supportive part of the
community.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22054423/WALMART_112020_08.jpg "Walmart Supercenter in Chatham to reopen following damage
from unrest 2")
Anthony
Vazquez/Sun-Times Employees work on one of the entrances of the
Walmart Supercenter that is set to reopen after being damaged
during riots over the summer at 8331 South Stewart Ave in West
Chatham, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., whose 21st Ward includes the retail
shop, had previously told the Chicago Sun-Times it would have been
a “tremendous
blow” if the store permanently closed because it had spurred
jobs and prompted other retailers to open in the area. It had taken
him two terms to persuade the retail giant to open a location in
the neighborhood.
When the store opens Friday, customers will find a new health
center that will provide primary care services such as physicals
and vaccines, said Haresh Desai, of Walmart Health Operations. The
big box’s location in Austin, at 4650 W. North Ave., will offer
similar health services, making them the first stores in the state
with the additional health care offerings. The Austin location is
also reopening Friday.
For now, Medicare and Medicaid can’t be used, though the store
is working on accepting those insurance plans, Desai said. A
primary care visit will start at $60, and the store plans to add
dental and hearing services, he said. The space will include
community rooms where health workers could host workshops on
conditions such as diabetes, though those programs will be on hold
for now because of COVID-19 restrictions, he said.
“We felt like it was a good opportunity when we made the
decision to remodel the stores to also continue to help the
community here in the Chicagoland area,” Desai said.
People can make appointments online or by phone at
773-687-5284.
The
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22054440/WALMART_112020_19.jpg "Walmart Supercenter in Chatham to reopen following damage
from unrest 3")
Anthony
Vazquez/Sun-Times Walmart Supercenter that is set to reopen after
being damaged during riots over the summer at 8331 South Stewart
Ave in West Chatham, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
reopening comes as
new restrictions imposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker go into effect
in an attempt to curb the number of COVID-19 cases. Big box stores
that include general merchandise and groceries will have to operate
at 25% capacity. Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50%
capacity.
The Walmart in Chatham will open with pickup and express
delivery services available, according to a news release.
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income
inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community
Trust.
