The City of Garland and Walmart celebrated the relighting of the historic Garland Shopping Center Sign at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26. The celebration took place in the Walmart Neighborhood Market parking lot on Garland Avenue at Miller Road.
The vintage lighted sign marked the site of one of the area’s first strip shopping centers, which covered ten acres of cotton field at the northwest corner of Miller and Garland roads. The Garland Shopping Center was built in the early 1950s and included various businesses such as Skillern’s Drug Store, J.C. Penney, and Wyatt’s Grocery.
After years of decline, the center itself was demolished for potential redevelopment, but the vintage sign was left standing. In 2013, Walmart redeveloped the site to include one of its signature Neighborhood Market stores, along with additional retail and commercial space. Walmart saw the value of the vintage sign and agreed to have it restored and re-lit.
“The Garland Shopping Center and the iconic sign located here are such important landmarks for the community. Walmart is proud to have helped bring this historic sign and shopping center back to life,” said Pete Vanderburg, store manager, Walmart Neighborhood Market. “When we first joined this community and opened our Neighborhood Market a little over a year ago now, we knew we could help by paying for the refurbishment, repair and lighting of the sign, and we’ll maintain its upkeep. We are thrilled to celebrate this and look forward to lighting up this shopping center for years to come.”
Garland Mayor Douglas Athas welcomes such contributions from Garland’s corporate residents.
“We were delighted when Walmart decided to redevelop this property and provide much needed shopping opportunities for the surrounding neighborhoods. This demonstration of Walmart’s commitment to our community’s history and pride is outstanding,” said Mayor Athas.
