As many people probably know by now, Jake and I have recently relocated to Bentonville, AR. When people found out we were heading to the south, we got the same reaction from most everyone. Eyebrows raise, somewhat surprised expression followed by "Oh...that's...exciting. What's in Arkansas?"
Let me tell you. Walmart.
Jake recently graduated from BYU as a Business Strategy major. He loves crunching numbers and analyzing data, so Walmart is the place for him. Bentonville is the founding place of Walmart, which was originally called the Walton 5&10. (I'll get to more of that later.) When Sam Walton was looking for a place to start his company, he originally wanted to start in a big city, like Kansas City or St. Louis. But, his lovely wife didn't want to live in a town that had more 5,000 people. So Bentonville became the place. And thus became the birthplace of Walmart.
Let me tell you, we've been nothing be impressed so far. Everyone is super friendly...everyone. Jake and I were on a run one morning and we made a stop at the Walmart To-Go (I'll get to that in a minute). When we walked in, a lady came up to us and said, "You guys are fast! I saw you running on my way in and you're already here! Good job!" And it seems everyone is willing to let us merge in while driving and a smile and a wave isn't uncommon.
Jake and I arrived to Bentonville two weeks before he was to start work. We took the time to get to know our future home. Bentonville really is a Walmart town. Here's the top 11 major things we've done that are sponsored by the one and only Walmart.
Let me tell you. Walmart.
Jake recently graduated from BYU as a Business Strategy major. He loves crunching numbers and analyzing data, so Walmart is the place for him. Bentonville is the founding place of Walmart, which was originally called the Walton 5&10. (I'll get to more of that later.) When Sam Walton was looking for a place to start his company, he originally wanted to start in a big city, like Kansas City or St. Louis. But, his lovely wife didn't want to live in a town that had more 5,000 people. So Bentonville became the place. And thus became the birthplace of Walmart.
Let me tell you, we've been nothing be impressed so far. Everyone is super friendly...everyone. Jake and I were on a run one morning and we made a stop at the Walmart To-Go (I'll get to that in a minute). When we walked in, a lady came up to us and said, "You guys are fast! I saw you running on my way in and you're already here! Good job!" And it seems everyone is willing to let us merge in while driving and a smile and a wave isn't uncommon.
Jake and I arrived to Bentonville two weeks before he was to start work. We took the time to get to know our future home. Bentonville really is a Walmart town. Here's the top 11 major things we've done that are sponsored by the one and only Walmart.
1. The Walmart Home Office
This is where Jake will be working for the next X amount of years. Unlike most companies, Walmart has chosen to put their main office in a warehouse. Some companies have big, flashy buildings, but not Walmart. Most of their buildings are in similar warehouses, but I guess that's how they get those low prices. Their mission statement is "we save people money so they can live better." EDLP is something that is commonly heard. What does it mean? Everyday low price.
This is where Jake will be working for the next X amount of years. Unlike most companies, Walmart has chosen to put their main office in a warehouse. Some companies have big, flashy buildings, but not Walmart. Most of their buildings are in similar warehouses, but I guess that's how they get those low prices. Their mission statement is "we save people money so they can live better." EDLP is something that is commonly heard. What does it mean? Everyday low price.
2. The Walton 5&10
This is the original and very first of the Walton stores. It has been turned into a museum, featuring the life and times of Sam Walton and his successes. It really is a fun place. The inside has been made to reflect the original store. They have vintage toys, old-fashioned candy, and some Walmart souvenirs. Behind the little shop is the life and times of Sam. It walks you through each step of his business venture. He really was an amazing guy. If you ever get the chance, you ought to check it out.
This is the original and very first of the Walton stores. It has been turned into a museum, featuring the life and times of Sam Walton and his successes. It really is a fun place. The inside has been made to reflect the original store. They have vintage toys, old-fashioned candy, and some Walmart souvenirs. Behind the little shop is the life and times of Sam. It walks you through each step of his business venture. He really was an amazing guy. If you ever get the chance, you ought to check it out.
3. The Spark Cafe
Located next to the Walton 5&10 is the Spark Cafe. The Spark is made to represent the excitement within the associates. The spark is featured on all of the current Walmarts. The Spark is something that Sam started to help his employees be motivated to achieve their EDLP. The cafe is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain. We stopped in an got a brownie sundae. Yum!
Located next to the Walton 5&10 is the Spark Cafe. The Spark is made to represent the excitement within the associates. The spark is featured on all of the current Walmarts. The Spark is something that Sam started to help his employees be motivated to achieve their EDLP. The cafe is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain. We stopped in an got a brownie sundae. Yum!
4. The Walmart To-Go
It is what it looks like. But, rather than jacking up their prices inside, they keep their EDLP. They also have the essentials, like milk, eggs, tissues, etc. So if you just need gas and one item, your trip becomes really quick.
It is what it looks like. But, rather than jacking up their prices inside, they keep their EDLP. They also have the essentials, like milk, eggs, tissues, etc. So if you just need gas and one item, your trip becomes really quick.
5. The Pick-up Grocery
How to use this:
1. Order groceries online (same prices as in the store)
2. Drive to the pickup grocery location
3. Walmart employees load up your car with your online purchases
4. Drive away.
Super easy, right?
How to use this:
1. Order groceries online (same prices as in the store)
2. Drive to the pickup grocery location
3. Walmart employees load up your car with your online purchases
4. Drive away.
Super easy, right?
6. Neighborhood Market
It is just a grocery store. But they are everywhere! Almost every corner. There is another grocery store in Bentonville, but it doesn't sound like anyone really goes there. Poor thing.
7. Sam's Clubs, Super Centers, and distribution centers.
Before we moved here, someone asked me if there was a Costco. Haha...um...no. There isn't a Costco within three hours of driving. Target just barely entered the county a few years ago. But, from what I hear, it isn't the most popular place.
It is just a grocery store. But they are everywhere! Almost every corner. There is another grocery store in Bentonville, but it doesn't sound like anyone really goes there. Poor thing.
7. Sam's Clubs, Super Centers, and distribution centers.
Before we moved here, someone asked me if there was a Costco. Haha...um...no. There isn't a Costco within three hours of driving. Target just barely entered the county a few years ago. But, from what I hear, it isn't the most popular place.
8. Walton Life Fitness Center
I didn't take a picture of the outside of the building. But if I had, you'd see a warehouse. A giant one, but a warehouse nonetheless. We went inside and it is just huge. And at 5:00pm when work gets out, this place is packed. Only for associates and their families.
9. The Associate Store
This is another Walmart employee exclusive. We've been told this is a super discount store that only Walmart employees and their spouses can go in. We haven't been in, but we've heard rumors. We're excited to try it out sometime. ;)
I didn't take a picture of the outside of the building. But if I had, you'd see a warehouse. A giant one, but a warehouse nonetheless. We went inside and it is just huge. And at 5:00pm when work gets out, this place is packed. Only for associates and their families.
9. The Associate Store
This is another Walmart employee exclusive. We've been told this is a super discount store that only Walmart employees and their spouses can go in. We haven't been in, but we've heard rumors. We're excited to try it out sometime. ;)
10. The Bentonville Public Library
It isn't directly named after Walmart, but once you enter, you see the subtile sign stating, "Sponsored by Walmart." I worked in the BYU library for the majority of the college life. Once we came here, I felt right at home. I still have a few classes to finish before I graduate, so the Library will probably be the place I spend most of my time.
It isn't directly named after Walmart, but once you enter, you see the subtile sign stating, "Sponsored by Walmart." I worked in the BYU library for the majority of the college life. Once we came here, I felt right at home. I still have a few classes to finish before I graduate, so the Library will probably be the place I spend most of my time.
11. Crystal Bridges Museum
This is one of the largest art museums in the US. Alice Walton invested in Bentonville by having the art museum built. Jake and I went (it's free!) to experience. It was beautiful and had many very pretty pieces of art. Unfortunately, we don't really understand how to appreciate art. Frankly, we just don't get it. But if you're into art, this is the place for you. Our favorite part was the miles and miles of nature trails behind the museum. We spent hours walking around in the beautiful scenery in 70 degree weather. You heard right, it was 70 degrees in JANUARY! Coming from Utah, that's pretty much unheard of. I will give one thing to Utah though. Northwest Arkansas claims to be in the Ozark Mountains. These aren't mountains, they are more like rolling hills. Utah has mountains. But, in all fairness, it is still really beautiful here.
Arkansas, so far, has proven to be a great place. Although Walmart is going to be a big part of our lives, there is so much more to this state that we haven't yet experienced. We are so excited for life here and are looking forward to our many adventures! Here we go!
This is one of the largest art museums in the US. Alice Walton invested in Bentonville by having the art museum built. Jake and I went (it's free!) to experience. It was beautiful and had many very pretty pieces of art. Unfortunately, we don't really understand how to appreciate art. Frankly, we just don't get it. But if you're into art, this is the place for you. Our favorite part was the miles and miles of nature trails behind the museum. We spent hours walking around in the beautiful scenery in 70 degree weather. You heard right, it was 70 degrees in JANUARY! Coming from Utah, that's pretty much unheard of. I will give one thing to Utah though. Northwest Arkansas claims to be in the Ozark Mountains. These aren't mountains, they are more like rolling hills. Utah has mountains. But, in all fairness, it is still really beautiful here.
Arkansas, so far, has proven to be a great place. Although Walmart is going to be a big part of our lives, there is so much more to this state that we haven't yet experienced. We are so excited for life here and are looking forward to our many adventures! Here we go!