Multilevel Wal-Mart Store Opens Today

Workers filled shelves, installed lightbulbs and made last-minute price checks Tuesday as the new Wal-Mart prepared to open its doors at 8 this morning.

The first multilevel Wal-Mart in the United States, located at the south end of the Panorama Mall on Van Nuys Boulevard, is also the first inside the Los Angeles city limits.

“This store reflects this community,” said District Manager Dave Lockhart, as he walked through the 165,000-square-foot store. “Some call it the revitalization of Panorama City. We’re pleased to be a part of it.”

Although stocked with the regular Wal-Mart inventory--rows of laundry detergent, food, fabrics, motor oil and clothes, among other items--the store will also try to meet the specific needs of the expected shoppers, said store Manager Bernie Seaman.

More than half the greeting cards to be sold are printed in Spanish, store signs are printed in both English and Spanish, and a cosmetics line specifically targeting Latinas are being supplied.

The construction of a two-story store did pose some problems, Lockhart said, including how to get customers’ shopping carts to the second level.

To solve the problem, the store installed a device that uses two rows of rubber knobs beside an escalator to grab a specially designed cart, which is then propelled up or down to meet its human companion at the end of their ride.

“It’s exciting for us to be in on the ground floor,” said Misti Pierson, a customer service manager and one of the 300 employees.

At least one customer was so enthused about the opening that she arrived a day early. “I hoped it was open today,” Cecilia Rodriguez said. “There hasn’t been a big store like this in the area. We can buy just about anything we need here.”