Fancy Wal-Mart shines on crowd

The new Hudson store is bright and glossy. It's a stark contrast to the Kmart next door.

By Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Published March 8, 2008

Mirrors provide the perfect spot for shopping fun as Hazel Anne Claudio, 2, foreground, her sister, Adrianna Claudio, 4, and Chase Looman, 4, were among the nearly 100 people at the new Hudson Wal-Mart Supercenter Friday. The children were with their parents during the grand opening.
	[Brendan Fitterer | Times]

HUDSON - So this new place opened its doors Friday, and by 7:30 a.m., it was the hottest ticket in town: Lots of bigwigs inside, lots of everybody else standing outside, in line, waiting.

The people in suits finished their speeches, and the crowd of nearly a 100 people crossed the threshold, into a bright new space with skylights and free cookies for all.

"Morning," said a smiling man. "Welcome to Wal-Mart."

The new Wal-Mart Supercenter was the shining star on Friday. Over at the Kmart next door, things didn't look so bright.

* * *

Not that Wal-Mart likes to brag or anything, but store officials couldn't help pointing out all the fancy new stuff at the Hudson store:

A "daylight harvesting system" that uses skylights to send sunshine through the store and reduce the amount of artificial light. Stained concrete floors, made in part of recycled material, that require little maintenance and no harsh chemical cleaners. Pineapple reliefs on the three entrances. And a glossy store map for everyone.

Employees were everywhere, ready to lead people places or dab up water spilled on the new floor.

Customers sniffed scented candles and measured television screens and stroked mirror frames and studied greeting cards and wanted to know things like: "Where are you hiding your yarn?"

* * *

Over at Kmart, mid-morning. Seagulls outnumbered the cars in the parking lot. Inside, nobody said hello. Playing on the store's speakers was a cover of a Grand Funk Railroad song:

I'm in love with a girl I can't live without

I'm in love but feels like I'm living it out

I'm in love but I must've picked

A bad time to be in love

One man picked through a clearance rack, shuffling along on the tile floors. Another man sat in a dimly lit shoe aisle, lacing up some soft white tennis shoes. One worker was dreamily putting a coat of white paint on a wall in the "Big Men's" section. A woman filled her cart with wooden bar stools.

* * *

Dianne Claudio, who lives in Spring Hill, usually goes to the Wal-Mart in Brooksville. But she said she was curious about the new Hudson store, so she and her two daughters and a friend and the friend's son arrived here Friday mid-morning.

"The aisles are much wider, and it's easier to manipulate the cart and the children," said Claudio. She said her Hernando County Wal-Mart does not sell beds. She likes that this one does.

"I think I'll take a ride down here again," she said.

Beacon Woods resident Ray Freudenberger walked to the store, which is just as easy as driving from the neighborhood seeing as how you can't make a right off Beacon Woods Drive. Freudenberger disagrees with that road design decision, but he's over it.

"I've been waiting for this thing for two years," he said.

On Friday, he had something specific to check out: "I want to see if you can get a cup of coffee for less than you can at Kmart."

* * *

A Chicago-based Kmart spokeswoman declined to comment specifically on the Hudson store but said it had much to offer that Wal-Mart does not: A new line of high thread count sheets. Martha Stewart-brand items. Two "fashion forward" clothing lines for tweens and juniors.

Brian Paukstys, a Port Richey resident coming out of Kmart Friday morning, said he had good reasons for not shopping at the shiny new place across the road.

"One, it's jammed up," he said. "No. 2, I heard there was already a car accident. No. 3, Kmart had what I needed.

"Summer is coming, and I need new shorts."

A female companion in a minivan yelled for him to hurry up already. They had one more stop for a few more odds and ends.

Wal-Mart.

"Not that one," he said. "The Port Richey one."

Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or 727 869-6247.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 22:01:31]