The first Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market opened its doors Friday in Simi Valley. The store, at 2204 Tapo St., is expected to create up to 95 part- and full-time jobs. About one third the size of a Wal-Mart superstore, the shops offer mostly grocery items, but also feature pharmacies and some general merchandise. “Walmart brings much needed positive economic impacts and permanent jobs to our community, in addition to providing an affordable retail option for Simi Valley residents,” said Leigh Nixon, chief executive of the Simi Valley Chamber, in a statement. Simi Valley has been particularly welcoming to the Bentonville, Ark. retailer. It already is the site of a 125,000 square-foot superstore and a 90,000 square-foot discount store despite a population of just 125,000 residents. By contrast, the retailer has struggled to enter other L.A.-area communities, where it has been fought by labor unions and other interests. Plans last year to build a smaller market at the Westfield Valencia Town Center never materialized and it has had to battle a lawsuit over a planned Burbank store. Wal-Mart has seven superstores in the greater Valley area, and this opening marks the third Neighborhood Market location in the area.
