Walmart coming to VCU, mid-May is expected open date

The plan is to build a Walmart on Campus which is 96% smaller than your average Walmart.

March 30, 2015; 9:45 AM • by Richard Hayes

Update #1 — March 30, 2015; 9:43 AM

RTD has an minor update and a timeframe for opening:

Walmart wasn’t offering a specific date last week, but estimated mid-May as a likely start time for the 4,100-square-foot store at 912 W. Grace St.

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Original — August 06, 2014

VCU students and Fan residents will have a new shopping option starting in late 2014 or early 2015 as mega-retailer Walmart is opening a store on the VCU campus at 912 W. Grace Street.

This will be a much smaller version of your traditional Walmart called Walmart on Campus. Your typical Walmart checks in on average at 102,000 square feet. The VCU Walmart on Campus is a much more modest 4,100 square feet.

From the press release.

“VCU is excited that our students will enjoy the convenience and low prices the Walmart on Campus will offer,” said Diane Reynolds, assistant vice president for business services at VCU. “With its product mix, pharmacy and services, this is a great addition to retail growth on and around campus that meets the needs of students, faculty, staff and surrounding neighborhoods.”

The store will be Walmart’s fifth Walmart on Campus, having previously opened locations at the University of Arkansas, Arizona State University, Georgia Tech and the University of Missouri.

“We are thrilled to bring one of our campus stores to VCU. We continue to find new ways to make shopping more convenient for our customers, and they have been very enthusiastic about this format,” said Brooke Mueller, Walmart director of public affairs. “They appreciate the convenience of having a Walmart so close that offers both affordable general merchandise and health and wellness services.”

The University of Arkansas has a similarly sized store at 3,500 square feet and was open in 2011. This article from when the store first opened gives a peek inside a mini Walmart.

In December of 2013 an article in USA Today about bringing Walmart to Ivy League schools meet with resistance from the majority of students interviewed.