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Ribbon Cutting for the New Walmart in Derby

98-year-old Gisele Seymour of Derby cut the ceremonial ribbon.
98-year-old Gisele Seymour of Derby cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Walmart held a grand opening ceremony for its newest store today (Nov. 16). The 156,000 square foot Supercenter is located on the Derby Road in Derby. It is the first Walmart in the Northeast Kingdom. A huge number of people turned out for the ribbon cutting.

The Ames Department Store, which was also located on the Derby Road for many years, closed in 2002. Most people would never have guessed at that time the county would go without a chain department store for so many years. Fortunately many local businesses tried to fill the void. However, many locals also traveled out of town to other stores, including to Walmart in Littleton, NH. Other people turned to the internet for goods.

Convincing Walmart to settle in Derby wasn’t easy, and it was no easier to obtain the permits to allow it to settle there. Ground was broken for the store on October 20, 2015. One of the people at the ground breaking was then 97-year-old Gisele Seymour of Derby. She and her now late husband, Bill Seymour, led a partition drive to help convince Walmart come to Derby. Now 98, Gisele was at today’s grand opening. She was given the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The drive leading from the Derby Road to the store is also named in her honor – Seymour Lane.

Only time will tell what the Walmart store, which employs about 300 people, will mean to the region – good and/or bad –  but for now, many local people are enjoying a new shopping option. The following are some photos of the grand opening.

 

The parking lot was packed
The parking lot was packed

 

Pastor Larry Wall providing opening prayer. The Knights of Columbus provided the color guard.
Pastor Larry Wall providing opening prayer. The Knights of Columbus provided the color guard.

 

 

A huge crowd turned out for the grand opening.
A huge crowd turned out for the grand opening.

 

Paul Monette (blue vest) not only is the mayor of Newport, but he is also employed by Walmart.
Paul Monette (blue vest) not only is the mayor of Newport, but he is also employed by Walmart.

 

Brian Smith, the chairman of the Derby Selectboard, also played a key role in bringing Walmart to Derby.
Brian Smith, the chairman of the Derby Selectboard, also played a key role in bringing Walmart to Derby.

 

Philippe Dutil, the mayor of Stanstead, Quebec, was also on hand at the event.
Philippe Dutil, the mayor of Stanstead, Quebec, was also on hand at the event.

 

Selfie time for some of the employees.
Selfie time for some of the employees.
scotts-cookie
This walking, talking, Little Debbie gave me some sugary treats.

 

This bee was apparently representing Cheerios.
This bee was apparently representing Cheerios.

 

There was at least one Oreo cookie running around the store.
There was at least one Oreo cookie running around the store.

 

The area now has a second Dunkin Donuts.
The area now has a second Dunkin Donuts.

 

There is also plenty of healthy food.
There is also plenty of healthy food.

 

The store even sells hunting a fishing supplies.
The store even sells hunting a fishing supplies.

 

The store is also home to a pharmacy.
There is also a pharmacy in the store.

 

The store also includes a vision center.
The store also includes a vision center.

 

There is also a bakery.
There is also a bakery.

 

The Northland Journal is a monthly magazine dedicated to sharing and preserving the history of VT’s Northeast Kingdom through the words of the people who lived it. To learn how to subscribe to the Journal click HERE.

 

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