After more than four years of planning battles, Sault Ste. Marie enters the big-box shopping era early next year with the opening of a north-end Wal-Mart store.
The 100,000-square-foot outlet is expected to open in late January 2003.
Man-Shield Construction of Thunder Bay was selected general contractor for the development, with Ellwood Robinson Ltd. of the Sault to do the site preparation. The 200-employee development will include a pharmacy, garden centre, bank and a McDonald's restaurant.
A Wal-Mart official says hiring will begin three months prior to the official opening.