Walmart locating in Mamou

Construction of a Walmart Express store is expected to begin by June 30, according to Mayor Ricky Fontenot.
The store, which will employ 25 workers, is expected to be open by the holiday shopping season this year. It will be located at the corner of Poinciana Ave. and old La. 13.
The mayor said the smaller, convenience-type store will offer prescriptions, household items and will have a gas station -- similar to what is offered at the larger Walmart stores. The Mamou store will have about 12,000 square feet of floor space.
Walmart Inc., after an assessment of sales during the past holiday season, found that sales and foot traffic at their larger stores were down while sales at their Express Stores, and similar Walmart Neighborhood Markets, were up, officials said.
After studying the market, the corporation determined that because of economic conditions, shoppers are doing less weekly shopping at the larger stores and are picking up items during the week as needed at smaller stores, hence the Mamou Walmart Express.
In other economic developments, the City Council last week okayed say of the old sewer plant to Service Fabricators, which is located next door.
The council’s attorney, Peter Savoy, said state law allows for a municipality to sell property it owns. Based on an estimate by a property appraiser, he said the town should sell the property for $500.
Steve Tate, the council’s engineer, said the sewer plant has not been used for about 15 years and there are no contaminants or hazardous materials on the property.
Selling the property “is a good thing for the town,” Mayor Fontenot said, because Service Fabricators plans to add about 15 jobs -- several months from now -- as it expands its operations. The company plans to use the property for parking and storage.