Saugus opens a big box

SAUGUS – For area consumers, the wait is over as the Walmart supercenter on Route 1 North was scheduled to open at 8 a.m. today. The opening comes after three postponements and a year of construction.”Our opening dates are often adjusted,” said Walmart Communications Director William Wertz.Store manager Mark Gullotti said construction was delayed on several occasions because of last year’s difficult winter. Gullotti explained that the full-service grocery department is what sets a supercenter apart from a typical Walmart. The Saugus location is the 27th supercenter in Massachusetts.The decision to open on Route 1 was made in response to customers’ input. The closest Walmart is six miles away in Lynn and the closest supercenters are in Tewksbury and Salem, N.H.”Being able to shop in Saugus instead of Lynn or Salem makes a big difference,” said Wertz, adding that convenience is the primary request among Walmart customers. “Even having to drive 15 to 20 minutes is difficult.”The supercenter is 114,422 square feet, spanning over two levels connected by stairs and an escalator. However, Gullotti said that his store is on the lower end of the scale, as some superstores can be as large as 261,000 square feet.In addition to a supermarket and general merchandise, the store will also have a full-service pharmacy.