The Lancaster Walmart will limit the number of customers allowed inside as it reopens essential services to the public.
LANCASTER, S.C. — A Lancaster, South Carolina, Walmart is back open for business more than a week after a 12-year-old started a fire inside the store.
It’s also the same Walmart where two people were shot last month. The 12-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree arson in connection with the May 3 fire.
In a statement shared with WCNC Charlotte, Walmart said:
“The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority, so we have re-opened some areas of the store while temporarily limiting the number of customers who can be in the store at one time. We are grateful to our associates and the support of the community, which have allowed us to re-open and return to serving our customers. We continue to work diligently to get back to full operations.”
In a Facebook post, the store shared only the grocery entrance will be open for guests and grocery inventory will initially be limited. The pharmacy will be open for prescription services only starting at 9 a.m. The vision center also reopened on Wednesday.
“We deeply appreciate your patience and support as we implement these essential measures to provide you with the best possible experience,” the store’s Facebook post reads. “We look forward to welcoming you back. Updates will be provided as soon as they become available.”
Customers hope Wednesday’s reopening will signify the end of a tumultuous few weeks.
“The whole community has been impacted,” one customer said. “It’s impacted me as a person, because that’s where I shop, because it’s he only place to shop.”
Others hope stiffer security measures will prevent similar incidents in the future.
“I do think security measures do need to be enforced a little stronger here,” another person said. “That way it’ll make it safer for everybody.”
All other areas of the store will remain closed until further notice.
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