Wal-Mart opens doors in north Peoria

West Valley residents looking for another place to do their shopping have another choice Wednesday, as the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Lake Pleasant Parkway and 99th Avenue officially opens its doors.

As a part of the 7:30 a.m. grand opening celebration, store leaders will present $20,000 in grants to local non-profit groups, including $5,000 to the Peoria Public Library.

"It's easy to say Wal-Mart will bring a positive economic impact to our city," Peoria Vice Mayor Cathy Carlat said in a press release. "The new store will generate additional tax revenue for our community and will create 350 new jobs. We are excited about the store's plans to make a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhoods by supporting our local schools and charitable organizations."

The store, located at 21655 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway in the Camino Largo shopping center, opened at 8 a.m. this morning. Store Manager Tammy Claunch said the retail development is in a rapidly growing part of the city, and the Supercenter will provide northwest Valley residents with a convenient stop for shopping.