The new Walmart Neighborhood Market on Junction City’s west side is now officially open.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday morning Ben Bennett, Geary County Commission Chairman explained to the stores manager, Patrick Carrell, that the store is something the community has been waiting on for quite some time.

“Patrick this is something that people on this side of town have been looking forward to for a long time. That we needed a grocery store, not because we weren’t served, just because of convenience more than anything,” said Bennett.

Hundreds of people turned out for the ribbon cutting, all of the 160+ parking stalls were full by approximately 7:20 am and parking spilled out onto Caroline Avenue.

That’s something that Mick McCallister, Junction City Mayor expects to see quite a bit.

“I think this facility, this store, is going to be full. It’s going to be full all day long,” said McCallister.

Traffic in and out of the new store was a concern for the City but McCallister indicated that they did address some of those concerns.

“I don’t think it’s quite going to be the issue that it was going to be, because now that we’ve properly striped some of those areas and made turning lanes, so it’s going to be a little bit easier.”

The 41,000 square foot building has been under construction since March at 1723 McFarland Road on the west side of Junction City.