A whole new (Wally) world

POST FALLS - It wasn't like Black Friday, but that suited Alex Stoy just fine.

The 16-year-old Spokane boy arrived at the new Post Falls Walmart near Cabela's at 7 a.m. Wednesday to be in the front of the line about an hour before the doors opened for the grand opening.

Stoy had other things on his mind than to listen to ceremonial speeches and watch checks being passed and a ribbon being cut outside the store.

"I'm here to get school supplies ... and Hot Wheels," said Stoy, adding that he was looking forward to the wide selection of the miniature vehicle toys.

Once open, Post Falls' Sandi Gutzke quickly found bird feed, grabbed the opening day freebies and headed out before things got too busy.

"I haven't figured out where everything is yet, but I like the store," she said. "It's big and clean. I just wish it was a Sam's Club instead."

There were rumors at one point that the first Post Falls store would be converted into a Sam's Club after the new location opened, but Joey Smith, manager of the new store, squashed that thought.

"All we're doing is creating a more convenient shopping experience for the growth that will occur over here," he said.

In addition to being smaller than the first Post Falls store - the one on the west side is 154,000 square feet compared to 203,000 at the one on Mullan - several departments are located in different areas of the store, drawing curious looks from shoppers.

Complementary businesses inside include Subway, a game room, Cost Cutters and a wireless store.

"No other (Walmart) store in the area has wireless and we're only the 10th store in the country to have one," Smith said. "You'll see things here that are not in the other stores. We want to be different."

Even though the new store will not have direct access from Interstate 90 until the new interchange at Beck Road is built, Smith said he believes anticipation of the store is "above average" based in the number of drop-in inquiries that started five days before the opening. Roughly 30 shoppers arrived before the opening on Wednesday, followed by a steady stream throughout the day.

Others, like Steve and Sue Collison of Greenacres, will stop in on their way to Cabela's as they did on Wednesday.

"We were going to Cabela's then we saw the people," Steve said.

Sue said she believes the store will have a big draw from the Spokane Valley area, especially during current construction on that side of the border.

"For awhile, this location will be easier for us to get to," she said.

Rathdrum's Bob Rasmus said he believes the site is appropriate, plus it, coupled with the Hayden store slated to open Sept. 15, will relieve pressure off the other Post Falls store.

"All the growth is coming this way," he said.

The Post Falls store employs 230. About half of the workers are full time and 80 percent of them have never worked at a Walmart before, Smith said.

For Post Falls' Rainbow Hakanson, her $8.40 an hour job was a relief after a year and a half of job hunting and it may be the difference in her being able to keep her home.

"I've only had three interviews (in 18 months) - not a lot of hope," she said, adding that she got laid off from a garage door company. "Since my unemployment ran out in June, I'm ecstatic. I was No. 195 (to get offered a job)."

In an effort to warm up to the community, the Walmart Foundation presented $15,000 in grants to area nonprofits during the grand opening, including:

• $5,000 to the Post Falls Food Bank; and

• $2,500 each to the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, city of Post Falls' Parks and Recreation Department, KTEC (professional-technical school) and the Dirne Community Health Center.

"We're so proud to be here and serve the community," Smith said.