Wal-Mart supercenter opens in Huntley

When construction jobs dried up in Osage Beach, Mo., Thomas Pearse applied at a local Walmart and got a job working the register.

Pearse was back at the register Wednesday - 18 years after he joined Walmart - as he opened a sprawling supercenter on Route 47 in Huntley.

"I wanted to say hello to my customers and show my cashier associates some support," said Pearse, the manager of the new store.

The bright, spacious store, featuring wide aisles, a garden center and a full selection of groceries, was filled with shoppers throughout the morning.

Huntley leaders hailed Walmart as a boon for the village, saying the retailer would drive down prices and hopefully draw other businesses to Route 47.

"We're hopeful - that as other retailers start to look at places for new stores, (Walmart) will help attract more interest," said Lisa Armour, senior assistant to the Huntley village manager.

Huntley officials expect Walmart to generate $600,000 to $700,000 in annual sales tax revenue - much of it from the residents of Del Webb's Sun City retirement community across the street.

On Wednesday morning, Bob Westrich filled his cart with motor oil, garden supplies and potato chips.

"I live here in Sun City, so it's very convenient for me," Westrich said. "This will be a busy place. They're going to get 6,000 people just across the road."

Some shoppers said they planned to visit Walmart instead of Randall Road or the Jewel-Osco less than a mile from the new supercenter.

"A lot of people say they're not going to go to Randall Road anymore," Mayor Chuck Sass said. "I think it's probably going to hurt Jewel."