Add San Ramon to the growing list of the Bay Area cities that could become home to Walmart grocery stores.
The city announced Feb. 3 that Walmart's construction division was taking bids for tenant improvements at the former Le Asia site on Alcosta Boulevard. The news release ended months of rumor and speculation about Walmart opening a store there.
The City of San Ramon received building plans last September from an unknown applicant seeking to open a grocery store on Alcosta. Pleasanton and Hayward also received similar anonymous plans for vacant buildings that would house grocery stores.
Walmart confirmed in January that it intended to open grocery-only stores in a former Circuit City building in Hayward and a former Nob Hill grocery store in Pleasanton.
San Ramon officials said Walmart had yet to confirm its plans, but a Walmart spokeswoman did on Monday confirm plans to open a grocery store in San Ramon. "The Neighborhood Market will feature a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meats and dairy products, dry goods and staples, in addition to pharmacy, health and beauty, pet supplies and household supplies, in a convenient shopping environment," said Delia Garcia, a Walmart spokeswoman, in an email to the Bay Area News Group. " ... By using currently vacant property, the Neighborhood Market will help re-energize the existing shopping center, draw customers to neighboring businesses and ultimately give a boost to the local economy."
Opening dates for the three Bay Area locations have not been announced, but each store is expected to employ about 95 people, Garcia said. Walmart's plans have not gone over well with everyone.
Resident Barbara Kellogg had been inquiring with the city since August, when she first heard about plans for a Walmart store. She was told the city was not in negotiations with the Arkansas-based company.
Kellogg said she presented the city last week with a contractor's bid submitted on Walmart stationary, and then saw the news release the city sent out about Walmart's plans. A San Ramon resident for the past 10 years, Kellogg is concerned about Walmart's business practices and that the company would expand in the future by opening a super Walmart in the same location. "I don't think this is over and I will fight this," said Kellogg, who is part of a group of at least 10 residents that have voiced their opposition to Walmart. "Our group is about to get a whole lot larger." Plans in all three cities have been approved; however, San Ramon has not issued permits yet.
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