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WAL-MART, Texas – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced this week the grand opening of its newest Supercenter covering a large area in Texas previously home to the city of Lubbock.

The new store encompasses an impressive 135 square miles in northern Texas, offering one-time Lubbock inhabitants a brand new, state-of-the-art facility for value shopping.

While the structure was controversial among citizens of the former community, Lubbock’s residents, many of whom have taken up shelter in the new Supercenter’s 34-acre home and garden department, are mostly welcoming of the savings the value-price store brings to their lifestyles.

“It’s nice to have a little extra money in the wallet,” said former Temple Avenue resident Gary Mitchelson, who once lived on a two-acre plot that is now occupied by the headphones section of the new Supercenter’s electronics department. “And it’s open 24 hours so you never have to leave, which is convenient.”

Other ex-townspeople are more critical of the Supercenter’s effect on the once-existent city of 212,000.

“I think this Wal-Mart store is terrible,” said Karen Mishler, former law professor at Texas Tech University, “for a community that has such a rich culture and hometown feel to it. Sure, everything is available to our citizens at discount prices now, but what about every other employer in the city that was put out of business?” Mishler referenced the demolition of every structure in Lubbock, which was required to clear sufficient space for such a large offering of rolled-back prices.

Mishler, along with other activists, even staged demonstrations against the razing of Lubbock's industrial district, previously home to the massive structures of 23 companies that employed more than 4,000 workers. The group was unsuccessful in saving the industries' space, which now has lent its location to the Supercenter’s bakery. "It is world class," Mishler admitted of the bakery, which can create custom-decorated cakes in less than one hour, affording Lubbock residents a convenient and affordable way to observe all of the many reasons they have to celebrate.

Wal-Mart is familiar with criticisms and opposition when new stores are built, but the company maintains that its way of doing business saves people money, creates new jobs, and improves rather than devalues communities.

“I have heard the criticism, but the people of Lubbock no longer need homes, jobs, or schools,” said Wal-Mart spokesperson Patrick Handegan. “With the money they will save, education and careers are unnecessary. As for their homes, our seven square-mile sporting goods section features more than 50 varieties of tents and awnings.”

Handegan added that as has been Wal-Mart’s policy for years, everyone will be welcome to park their overnight vehicles in the new store’s 12 square-mile parking lot.

In addition to Wal-Mart’s commitment to low prices, in building such a hulking structure, the green trend was not lost on the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer. Reused concrete was installed as the store's flooring. Skylights were added, with electric lights that dim and brighten according to the amount of sunlight filtering in. Rather than building massive infrastructure, Wal-Mart craftily tapped into a complete, intricate system of public works in the area that was no longer being used, and sensors in refrigerated aisles turn lights on and off, according to detected movement.

“What we have is a perfectly eco-friendly store,” said Handegan. “For instance, if nobody visits produce aisle 217 during a given hour or week, the lights will not kick on. I think our commitment to the environment is clear.”

The recent success of the corporation’s Lubbock project means Wal-Mart will begin expanding similarly over other medium-sized communities, including further development near Lubbock. Currently underway are plans for a Sam’s Club adjacent to the new Supercenter’s south that would encompass the nearby towns of Posey, Woodrow and Union. If given final approval by Wal-Mart’s board of directors, the added Sam’s Club would become the first bulk-purchase price club visible from space.