Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

On Friday morning, a large crowd gathered just inside the Breckenridge Walmart, located at 3800 W. Walker St., to celebrate the store’s grand re-opening and the completion of the recent extensive remodeling project.

Chris Seals, manager of the Breckenridge Walmart store, center, addresses the crowd gathered at the front of the store for the grand re-opening ceremony on Friday, June 20. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

To start off the ceremony, local Scout Kason Burchett presented the colors while Kayla Wood, the administrative assistant for the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, sang the national anthem. Bob Smithson, a Walmart employee, gave the invocation. Then store manager Chris Seals welcomed everyone.

“First off, I’d like to thank everybody for coming out and supporting our second best day. We call it our second best day, because our first best day was when we opened this building 10 years ago,” Seals said. “I am extremely, extremely proud of all the hard work all the teams have put in to make this store as beautiful as it is today. This has been a team effort on many different levels.”

Mike Humphrey, market manager for Walmart Stores and who oversees 10 stores, also thanked the store staff, as well as the remodel crew, for their work on the project.

“To all the customers, thank you all very, very much for your patience. Hopefully y’all like the store,” Humphrey said. “The store looks amazing. Thank you all for your hard work, and I can’t wait to see next chapter in Walmart.”

Seals then presented three organizations with donations from the company. Patrick Dembach with the Food Bank of West Central Texas accepted a $1,000 check on behalf of the food bank, which brings food to Breckenridge for the local food bank. Kathy O’Shields with the Stephens County Humane Society was on hand to accept a check for $1,000 for the animal rescue organization. Seals presented a check for $4,000 to the Breckenridge Independent School District with FFA members, football players and cheerleaders at the ceremony for the school district.

A group of Breckenridge Walmart employees pose for a picture during the grand re-opening ceremony. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

For the official Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce ceremony, Becky Castaneda, who has worked at the Breckenridge Walmart for 40 years, had the honor of cutting the ribbon.

Following the ceremony, Seals invited guests to browse through the store to see the changes that were made during the $4.5 million renovation project. Throughout the store, tables with samples and giveaways were set up.

In addition to reorganized departments and sections, many with new products, the project included:

• a pharmacy expansion
• an updated and expanded Hardware Department
• an updated Apparel Department
• an expanded Sporting Goods Department
• new signage throughout the store
• a Breckenridge-themed mural in the foyer

Part of the remodel project includes a new Breckenridge-themed mural in the Walmart foyer. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Walmart store manager Chris Seals, left, presents a check for $1,000 to Patrick Dembach with the Food Bank of West Central Texas, headquartered in Abilene. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Walmart Store Manager Chris Seals, left, presents a donation of $1,000 to Kathy O’Shields with the Stephens County Humane Society. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge High School football players, FFA members and cheerleaders were at the Walmart grand re-opening to receive a $4,000 donation to Breckenridge ISD. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

At the grand re-opening ceremony for the newly remodeled Breckenridge Walmart, Kayla Wood, right, sings the national anthem, and Scout Kason Burchett, center, presented the colors. Wood is the administrative assistant at the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The renovations on the Breckenridge Walmart include new signs throughout the store, as well as U.S. flags in several locations and a variety of departmental upgrades. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Becky Castaneda, center, cuts the ribbon during the grand re-opening at the Breckenridge Walmart on Friday, June 20. Castaneda has worked for the Breckenridge Walmart for 40 years. Pictured are Store Manager Chris Seals, from far left; Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce President Ronnie Langford; Castaneda; Chamber of Commerce Event Manager Kadijah Cooper; and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maylun VanWinkle. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)