Jobs and More Affordable Grocery Options Coming to Panorama City
LOS ANGELES — Walmart today announced plans to open a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Panorama City, creating a new option for residents who need a job or want more affordable grocery option close to where they live or work. Construction is currently underway and a grand opening is expected by the end of the year.
The 31,000 sq. ft. store will be located in The Vannord Center, a retail center located at 14530 Nordhoff Street. It will employ about 60 people and replace Valley Foods Warehouse, which has been empty for five years.
Vannord manager Suzanne Ponder told the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, “the 90,000-square-foot center had been fully leased, but that changed when its anchor left…there are currently about 15 vacant storefronts, totaling about 31,000 square feet; and that’s not counting the shell of a building Walmart will occupy.”
“This neighborhood has struggled in the last couple of years and we’re grateful that Walmart has stepped up to pump new life into this retail area,” said Ron Wood, President and CEO of the Valley Economic Alliance. “Most folks here walk to do their shopping and are finding the options are increasingly limited.
Specifically, we’ve needed more grocery stores so beyond filling a gap, this Walmart will send a signal to other businesses—big and small—that this neighborhood is worth the investment.”
The new store will feature a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, meat and dairy products, frozen foods, dry goods, condiments and spices as well as a pharmacy, pet supplies and household items.
Over the past few weeks, Walmart has been engaging with the community to better understand the challenges residents face and how a new store might benefit the surrounding area.
