Bolivar Walmart Celebrates Grand Re-Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony {videos}
The Walmart Store #466 in Bolivar, Tennessee celebrated the reveal of its remodel with band fanfare {See the band march in}, employee recognitions, and a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 5, 2025. Although the five-month remodel project has been long waited for the past 23 years, the anticipation of the day made for a joyous occasion attended in large numbers by Walmart employees, the city and county mayors, other government officials, and customers from the community.
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Walmart #466 People Lead Susie Ross shared in a Facebook post the location was in the process of a remodel. She gave insight into what customers could expect over the next few months and requested patience as employees worked towards the September remodel grand opening.
Before Ms. Ross opened the program with a greeting, the Bolivar Central High School marching band performed for the crowd. Mayor Pulse shared a prayer. Mayor McTizic expressed his appreciation for Walmart being in the community and how it has benefited the area.
Watch the Video of the BCHS Marching Band Perform
Ms. Ross next introduced Walmart Store #466 Manager Cabe Sala who celebrated 10 years with the company in June 2025.
Walmart Before the Remodel Photo Gallery
Click arrow/swipe screen to see the slideshow.
“Cabe started with Walmart when he was 18 years old pushing shopping carts. By the time he was 23, he was a store manager. He moved up in our company very fast. He is a very great leader in our store, and we really appreciate him,” said Ms. Ross.
Mr. Sala started his career in 2015 with Walmart in Camden, Tennessee. He became an assistant manager at the South Jackson Walmart in 2016 and has been in management for almost nine years. He later moved to the Bolivar location where he has been the store manager for a little over four years.
“This is the very first store I have run. I got promoted when I was 23,” said Mr. Sala, who shared what he appreciates about the company. “The opportunity that it provides to all, everybody of all shades of color, size, height, ethnicities. None of that makes a difference. It does not hold you back. They are going to give you an opportunity, just as long as you want it! The opportunity the company provides to people like myself or those who look like me is one of the things I like about it the most!”
Some people may consider working at Walmart as a transition between high school and college or just a part-time job for a few months or even a few years. For many, Walmart has become a career and a part of their personal legacy.
Susie Ross has worked for Walmart for 36 years. She graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1990. The first job she ever had was working in the shoe department part-time at Walmart in the original store, which is where Tractor Supply Co. is located in Bolivar. She also worked at the North Jackson Walmart for about two years and then returned to the Bolivar store.
“I started when I was 16 years old. I didn’t go to college but moved up and worked in a lot of different departments in the store. Now, I am the human resource manager,” said Ms. Ross, who shared what she loves about her job. “I love working with the people!”
Like Mr. Sala and Ms. Ross, others have chosen to make a part-time or full-time career at Walmart. During the ceremony, Mr. Sala took a moment to recognize more than 40 team members with 15 or more years of employment with the company.
Walmart After the Remodel and Grand Re-Opening Photo Gallery
Click arrow/swipe screen to see the slideshow.
Today was a special day for Bonnie Sisco who said she has worked at Walmart for 38 years and 11 months. It was retirement day for Bonnie, who started working for the company in 1997, and also worked at the original Bolivar store. She ended her career with Walmart working in the sporting goods, hardware, and automotive departments. Although she is looking forward to retirement, it is bittersweet.
“[I am going to miss] the people. We are just like family,” said Ms. Sisco, who is happy she got to be a part of the remodel and experience the celebration as an employee. “It is nice to get to be a part of the remodel, which gave us a lot more room. They did a good job with it!”
Some of the improvements shoppers can expect from the remodel are a fresh new look and better lighting; more product offerings in several departments; a more organized store layout making it even easier for customers to find what they want; new floors; and more efficient pick up and delivery options.
Walmart Store #466 also reaffirmed its commitment to the community with the presentation of checks through its grant program to the Bolivar Police Department $1,000); City of Bolivar ($1,000); Middleton High School ($1,500); Bolivar Central High School ($1,000); WRAP ($1500); and the Bolivar Fire Department ($3,000).
Walmart also have several giveaway items, which customers took home from gift cards to a 55 inch Smart TV.\
When asked what makes Walmart Store #466 special, Mr. Sala smiled and did not hesitate to answer.
“The community and every single face on the inside of this building. You are never going to meet a stranger and that is what makes this store different,” said Mr. Sala.
Watch the Full Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Video
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