If you look behind O’Reilly’s Auto Parts it definitely doesn’t look like much now.
However, this area off the U.S. 52 corridor as you enter Darlington will soon look a lot different.
“What we are going to see is a parking lot…and behind that we are going to see a supercenter. Walmart supercenter,” said Darlington Mayor Tony Watkins, as he pointed towards the wooded area.
“My message to Walmart…that the people of Darlington are going to reward you for your investment,” he added.
At Tuesday night’s Darlington City Council meeting, it was announced that Walmart will build a supercenter off U.S. 52.
However, in recent years it has been more of an exit for local shoppers than a welcome sign.
“They are going to Florence for their needs. So that puts at a disadvantage economically,” Watkins explained.
There are three Walmart stores in Florence alone, with Hartsville being home to the only Walmart in Darlington County.
“So what we are doing now is not trying to put people out of business. We are trying to restore business because a lot of our businesses have been lost,” Watkins stated.
“I know that I wouldn’t have to travel to Hartsville and I wouldn’t have to go to Florence, which I just been there this morning,” said Annie Lou Williamson, owner of Annie’s Fashion which is located just down the street within the Darlington Square.
The customer in her is happy, while the businesswoman in her sees the need.
“Instead of all the people going to Florence, building up Florence, we can build up our own hometown. I would like to be there when they dig the first dirt,” she mentioned.
Mayor Watkins hopes the city can regain some of that tax base.
The city expects the retailer to create more than 250 jobs and construction could begin within days.
