DALLAS — Walmart announced its plans to close one of it’s locations in southern Dallas.
The retailer said it plans to close the Walmart at 3155 W. Wheatland Road as part of a group of stores it will shut down across the country.
The announcement came as a surprise to many associates and shoppers on Wednesday morning.
“I was shocked,” said shopper Trena McGree. “I’m like, oh my gosh what happened. We were just in that store.”
Workers said they were initially told the store would shut down by April 19. Dallas Councilman Tennell Atkins said he was disturbed that Walmart executives gave the City of Dallas and community members such short notice.
"I mean you’re not going to give anyone no kind of courtesy as to what’s going on? You know?" Atkins said.
The company said its decision to close the Oak Cliff location affects 400 Walmart employees. A spokeswoman said the company is working to help transfer associates to any of 12 locations within a 10-mile radius of the area.
“They need to do a better job in informing the customers, the citizens, when they are going to do something like this," Atkins said. "This is a big void to the community. I think the PR was kind of sloppy.”
Atkins said he asked, and Walmart agreed, to keep the location open until April 26.
Neighbors said the closure will leave a void in the community. It is surrounded by several apartments. Many seniors rely on its pharmacy services. Customers said being on the bus line was a big help.
"We’re just going to have to try and figure it out," shopper Elizabeth Johnson said, "which is the best way to go.”