Edna Walmart to close

    Walmart in Edna will close on July 20.     According to a company representative, the store and pharmacy will close to the public on July 20. Pharmacy employees will work with their customers to transfer their prescriptions to their pharmacy of choice.     Employees were notified early Wednesday morning and will be offered jobs at other locations. Anne Hatfield with Walmart corporate, said they will be paid through August 31.     “We hope most can continue their careers by transferring to another location,” Hatfield said. “We do offer severance packages for those who are eligible.”     Walmart does not own the building, so it is unknown at this time what the owner will decide to do with it.     “This is a huge concern,” said Edna Mayor Joe Hermes. “Not only the availability of products to our citizens but we are going to lose the sales tax revenue.”     Hatfield said it was a tough decision by the company. She said it was based on a number of factors, including financial performance.     She said the company’s human resources will work with employees to provide resume training and other needs as requested.

“The decision to close our Edna store is not an easy one, but, as a company, we are committed to continuing our growth and investment in Texas," Hatfield said. "We opened this store in 1992 and we are as proud today as we’ve ever been with how the store leadership and associates have served and contributed to the local community over the years. We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them in Edna. We look forward to continuing to serve them at other area locations and online at walmart.com.”