‘Nobody saw this coming’: Walmart to close its Wadesboro store

WADESBORO, N.C. — A local community staple is closing its doors. The Walmart in Wadesboro will permanently close on April 3.

“Nobody saw this coming, nobody,” said Maggie Helms. “This is probably the main store in this town that everybody shops at.”

The town of Wadesboro sent a press release that said town officials are “equally as shocked and saddened by this news as the public.”

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“There’s probably a couple hundred jobs getting ready to get lost. That’s the sad part,” said Helms.

“These people have become our friends,” said Debra Harrington. “They were crying when I talked to them today on the phone. They were shocked.”

Walmart management said it’s working to transfer as many of the store’s 200 employees as it can.

“They don’t realize how much of a strain on a town that already most jobs are out of town,” said Felicia Cowick.

For several residents, the store is also home to their pharmacy.

“I get all my medication here, and I get discounts here, because I don’t have any insurance. I can’t go to CVS or places like that and get that discount,” said Harrington.

The next closest Walmart is 35 minutes away in Rockingham.

A spokesperson for Walmart said the store could close sooner than April 3 if it sells out of merchandise. However, the pharmacy will remain open until April 3.

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