The grand opening of the Vineyard Square Wal-Mart on Route 27 in Edison will take place Nov. 12 at 7 a.m., and the national anthem will be sung to begin the ceremony.
The 141,029-square-foot store initially faced a lot of opposition when it was first approved by the Planning Board in November 2004. Residents said the location of the store would cause more traffic to an already congested area.
Several attempts to prevent the store’s opening failed, and four years later, Wal-Mart is ready to open its doors.
Not all residents, however, opposed the store’s opening. Maria Harrison of Metuchen said she can hardy wait to go shopping.
“It’s another choice to go to besides Target,” she said. “It’s one-stop shopping.”
Harrison also said that with unemployment rates rising, the new store presents people with an opportunity to make their way back to the work place.
“I really feel this can open up possibilities for people looking for holiday employment or everyday jobs,” she said.
Cindy Preston of Metuchen said that although she likes Wal-Mart, she opposed the store’s Edison location because of the traffic it’s going to cause.
“I really feel traffic will be unmanageable and getting into the town of Metuchen will be impossible,” she said.
With the unemployment toll hitting over 1.2 million already this year, some residents are relying on the store’s success.
Lucille Sayers of Metuchen said she can’t wait for the store to get up and running. Her husband, John, is currently employed by the new Wal-Mart in the Receiving and Merchandise Department. Sayers feels blessed to have this opening come to her family.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” she said. “It’s close to home, and we’re going to be saving on gas because John will be riding his bike to work.”
Sayers said Wal-Mart carries a lot of variety, such as arts and crafts, and that there are no longer any other such stores in the Metuchen/Edison area.
Wal-Mart will employ over 350 people, including senior citizens and those with disabilities. Residents in favor of the store said the only thing they don’t like is that it’s not a Super Wal-Mart. And while it has already changed the traffic pattern going toward Metuchen, only time will tell if it will become a problem.
“The traffic will become a little more congested,” said Harrison, “but I still like the Wal-Mart where it is. I can’t wait!”