*Disclaimer: I was invited for a media tour of Walmart. I have not received compensation in exchange for this post; all opinions expressed herein are my own.
I am totally geeking out right now because I just spent some time this morning touring the brand spankin’ new Walmart at Durbin Park Pavilion! My affinity for Walmart didn’t begin until I moved to Florida in 2014, because the ones I had been to in Connecticut left little to be desired (if we’re being honest). Thankfully, the ones I’ve frequented in Florida are new and clean.
I had the absolute pleasure of being given a private tour by the store manager, Ms. Bobbi Jo Smith, and learned so many awesome things about this newest location just off of 9B in St. Johns, Florida. First of all, the exterior architecture is beautiful and blends in with the surrounding residential neighborhoods’ styles of coastal and craftsman. Usually the Walmarts that I’ve seen are uniformly gray, orange and blue storefronts. This one has some character in the front.
The Durbin Park Pavilion location is probably the largest Walmart I’ve been in (195,000 square feet), which means it offers nearly every department you could imagine, including grocery, deli, bakery, personal care, home decor, auto care, pharmacy, vision center, garden center, liquor store, pick up drive-thru, and so much more.
Bobbi Jo told me that the meat department is the largest of any of the Walmarts she’s seen which includes grass-fed meats, and their dairy section is expanded and includes non-dairy options such as almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, and other lactose-free products. She explained that the typical gluten free and organic sections in other locations are limited to 4ft displays, but this location has 8ft and 12ft displays to offer a broader selection of products, as Walmart is aware of the growing need to accommodate consumers with various dietary modifications. This is a wonderful feature, as it allows you to do all of your shopping in one stop and for every member of your family.
The Christmas section is decked out and ready for Santa, who will be arriving on his sleigh on opening day, Wednesday, November 7th, 2018. Santa will be available for photo ops and selfies on his lap! He will be returning to the store twice in the month of November, so be sure to check the Facebook page or website if you want to bring the kids to meet Santa.
Walmart recently rolled out the free grocery pick-up feature, whereby you order your items online or through your app, and you typically park in a designated “pick-up” parking spot for an associate to bring your items out to your car. This location has upped the ante by having a pick-up drive-thru! If you order by 1pm, you can get same-day pick-up. Simply place your order online or using your app, and go to the drive-thru lanes along the side of the store to pick up your order. The app will direct you to the correct lane to retrieve your order. Lanes 1 and 2 have already been designated for the pharmacy drive-thru, as this area does double duty. It’s so convenient, well organized, and since there’s a covered overhang at the drive-thru lanes, you don’t have to worry about getting wet-and you don’t even have to get out of your car-win/win!
The pharmacy department is located within the personal care section so all of your needs can be met in one spot. There are private areas of the pharmacy for immunizations and consultations so that the whole store isn’t watching you get a shot right out in the open, and you don’t have to feel bashful about discussing your medical concerns or prescriptions with the pharmacist in front of everyone within earshot. These are nice features that show Walmart took the time to consider the consumers’ needs and accommodations.
One of the best features of the store that I was pleasantly surprised to see was a Mother’s Room. There is a separate designated room for mothers to tend to their children or to comfortably breastfeed in a quiet, clean, private area that’s NOT a bathroom. Nailed it. Way to go, Walmart!
We have been eagerly anticipating the opening of this newest Walmart, as we’ve watched the building go up over the last several months. I’m beyond pleased to report that so much thought and consideration went into this store to accommodate the needs and desires of local customers. This is a welcomed addition to the area, as it kicks off the opening of this new town center location at Durbin Park Pavilion.
Walmart Supercenter St. Johns-Durbin Park Pavilion, Store #928 is open 24 hours (yay!). The in-store pharmacy is open until 9pm on weeknights, 9am-7pm on Saturdays, and 10am-6pm on Sundays with the drive-thru window hours being 9am-9pm weekdays, and 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 10am-6pm on Sundays. Just a heads up-the pharmacy drive-thru is closed from 1:30-2pm daily for lunch. Grocery pick up in the drive-thru lanes is from 8am-8pm, while Home and Living pick up in the drive-thru lanes is from 10am-10pm, daily. Be sure to check the store’s Facebook page or website for more details and upcoming events.
Tamar Blazer is an attorney-turned-twin mom, with a passion for her family, friends, writing, good food, home decor and laughing. When she’s not lamenting on her lack of sleep, you can find her doing one of the too many projects she likes to take on, usually with a twin on either side.
