Walmart will welcome customers back to its Chesapeake, Virginia location on April 19. The store underwent significant design changes in the five months since a November 2022 mass shooting that killed six employees and injured four. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Andre Marcus Bing, a night-shift manager at the store, was also killed by police.
The remodel will feature an outdoor memorial space to honor the victims and provide a place of comfort for the survivors, according to the retailer. The space will feature six seating structures in honor of the six employees killed by the shooter, providing a place for people to remember the impact these people made on their lives.
"We are deeply touched by the community’s compassion and support as we continue to heal from last year’s tragedy," said Alycia Mixon, Walmart store manager, in a statement. "As we move forward with our reopening, we do so in a way that honors the victims and provides continued support to our associates."
The remodel and transformation will also improve customer experience by providing updates including expanded shopping options, engaging displays, and interactive features, according to Walmart. This new "store-of-the-future" is part of Walmart’s signature experiences and includes innovative and customer-friendly design elements.
Customers and the community are invited to join our associates for an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on opening day.
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