Former Florida Gators star Tim Tebow will make a special appearance in Ocala next week to help celebrate the grand opening of a new Walmart Neighborhood Market.
The new Walmart will host its grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 3535 SE Maricamp Road. While the ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., the festivities will continue throughout the day, highlighted by a meet-and-greet with Tebow from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m..
According to the company’s announcement, the first 250 customers in line for Tebow starting at 2:00 p.m. will receive an autographed mini football.
Tebow is not the only football talent scheduled to appear, as former Florida Gators and NFL linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey will host their own meet-and-greet earlier in the afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
In addition to the celebrity appearances, Walmart is offering the first 250 customers in line for the 8:30 a.m. opening a $25 Walmart gift card. The offer is limited to one per family for customers 18 and older with a valid ID.
The event will also feature free samples, giveaways, games, face painting, and balloon artists.
Earlier this week, Walmart celebrated the opening of the new gas station at the site. That portion of the facility is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
The opening marks the culmination of a major redevelopment project at the Saddleback Square Shopping Center, formerly known as Cedar Shores.
The new store sits on the site of a former Winn-Dixie that stood vacant for nearly a decade before being demolished to make way for the new construction last year. Next to the Walmart, multiple outparcels will be available for future retailers as well.
Unlike the retailer’s massive Supercenters, the Neighborhood Market format focuses primarily on groceries, pharmacy services, and household essentials.
The Ocala City Council recently cleared the location to sell beer, wine, and liquor, approving a permit earlier this month that allows for sales between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m.
The new store is expected to employ between 90 and 95 people and features a self-service gas station.
Its arrival continues the revitalization of the Maricamp Road corridor, which has seen the addition of a Starbucks, Wawa, and 7-Eleven in recent years.