Walmart Gresham Market celebrates major renovation with ribbon cutting

A full-service hot deli, better delivery/pickup, improvements to in-store shopping and layout — these are just a few changes to the Walmart Gresham Market on Powell, celebrated on Friday, July 26.

The store at 2444 E. Powell Boulevard, celebrated a ribbon cutting to commemorate a sweeping five-month remodel that modernized and updated nearly every department, while bringing new amenities for employees and customers.

“Remodeling was one of the most challenging and rewarding processes of my career,” said Marcus Godbee, store manager. “It was a true group effort from the whole team.”

Throughout the store everything looks brighter: the signs were updated, new paint, new concrete, wider aisles. The backroom has been revamped, as was the online pickup and delivery service to allow for better capacity. The beer and wine department was updated, as was the customer service/money desk. There were also new bathrooms constructed.

The biggest addition was the creation of the hot deli, making the Gresham Walmart, a neighborhood market, one of the first of that designation to have the amenity. But Gresham customers will have to wait a few more weeks for the deli to be opened after a hiccup with city permits.

“I’m pleased with the renovations, and I hope you all will be too,” Godbee said. “It feels good to be at this point after some challenges.”

At the grand reopening celebration at the store on July 26, visitors got freebies from partner vendors, like Pepsi, Celsius, and Bridgford Beef Jerky; and greeters passed out complimentary cookies and grab bags for customers.

Walmart also presented a $2,500 check to Make a Wish Foundation Oregon.