Friday’s event marked the culmination of 16-weeks of concentrated effort throughout the renovation process and was described by Store Manager Andy Garwood as “second only to when we first opened our doors in 1991.” 

The event featured a performance of the national anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Robert Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. 

Grants presented included: $2,000 to the East Liverpool Community Partnership; $1,000 for the East Liverpool Youth Academy; $1,000 to the Heartbeat of Columbiana County; $2,000 to the Saint Clair Township Patrolmen’s Association; $2,000 to Threshold Residential Services; and $1,000 to the Center of Midland. 

“My favorite part of this position is giving back to the community. I have been blessed to give $9,000 back out today,” said Garwood. 

The ceremonial ribbon was cut by the six associates who have worked at the store since it opened in 1991. Shown from left are Kevin Morris, Pam Foster, Tina Wetzle, Julie Pethel, and Wayne Hughes. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Garwood said that the remodel has brought upgrades around the store including: complete remodels of the restroom, pharmacy, and vision center; expanded aisles and interactive displays, including additional grocery aisles; additional manned registers and updates to the self-checkouts for a smoother customer experience, a brand new digital space which will streamline pick-up and delivery service; and new graphics and signage around the store. 

Garwood thanked his management team, and all the store’s associates as well as the three visiting managers and associates from other stores who kept the store running during the remodeling process. 

“The last 16 weeks were full of long stressful days, but this amazing team stuck together and came through to deliver the impossible,” said Garwood. 

He also thanked Singleton Construction, whom he said “pretty much had to build a new store,” as well as the store’s reality team, facilities maintenance team, and vendor partners. Above all, Garwood thanked the community for their support and for bearing with the staff during the remodel. 

“To the community. I would like to thank you for your patience through the last 16 weeks. The floor conversion, the aisle shifts, the moving of products have all been inconveniences. However, you continued to show up and trust us with your shopping needs. 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Smith thanked Walmart for being a part of the community, and for its recent support of the ongoing bike trail project. He also said that he was happy to see the remodel completed, and the store continuing to make investments to better serve the community. 

Sabatini said that it was a great achievement for any store to operate for 35 years, and that Walmart has been a fixture of the community throughout those 35 years. He thanked the assembled staff for serving the community and said that St. Clair Township was thankful and proud that the store would continue to be a fixture of the community going forward. 

Palozzi championed the store’s associates and management team, noting that she had the opportunity to visit the store several times during the remodel and that they were always working tirelessly to improve their store for the community. 

“We are here today to celebrate not just the project’s completion, but the people that made it happen,” said Palozzi.

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Walmart at 16280 Dresden Ave. celebrated the completion of its 16-week remodel with a “re-grand opening” Friday. The event featured a performance of the National Anthem by Aubrey Brooks, a flag raising and 21-gun salute by the Tri State Veteran Burial Group under the command of Jeffrey Kidder, remarks from Garwood, Mayor Bobby Smith, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini, Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi, the presentation of $9,000 in grants to six local non-profit organizations, the presentation of awards to six employees who have worked at the store since its opening, and a blessing by Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Aubrey Brookes performing the national anthem. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Shawn Auto Care Center Coach Schleif, Digital Coach Steven Williams, Vision Center Manager Cindy Kester, Overnight Coach Adam Calhoon, Overnight Coach Tina Marie Brooks, Fashion Coach Latasha Wasson, Stocking Coach Elliot Kasun, Store Manager Andy Garwood, Food Coach Scott Marsh, GM-Coach Hollie Little, Front-End Coach Konnor Clark; Asset Protection Coach Tina Wetzle, and Store Lead Will Mauzy. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)

Shown is St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Mayor Bobby Smith. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Mayor Bobby Smith. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Walmart Regional Manager Jandi Palozzi (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Store Manager Andy Garwood and Scott Mick. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Sara Butler and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Mayor Robert Smith, Store Manager Andy Garwood, Stu Wallace, and Lisa Painter. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Store Manager Andy Garwood, Stu Wallace, and Troy Chism. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Store Manager Andy Garwood and Thomas Christopher Page. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Store Manager Andy Garwood, and Isaac and Jen Miller. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown is Pastor Bob Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Reba Bishop and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Kevin Morris Store and Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Pam Foster and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Tina Wetzle and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown left are Wayne Hughes and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart) 

Shown from left are Julie Pethel and Store Manager Andy Garwood. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)