5 Walmart stores in Atlanta will now close earlier

5 Walmart stores in Atlanta will now close earlier

Operating hours are changing for five Walmart stores across the metro Atlanta area.

Citing a spokesperson, WSBTV.com reported the stores will move their closing times from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m. The stores are located at:

  • 4735 Jonesboro Road in Union City, Ga.
  • 5401 Fairington Road in Lithonia, Ga.
  • 6149 Old National Highway in College Park, Ga.
  • 1105 Research Center Atlanta Drive SW in Atlanta
  • 844 Cleveland Avenue in East Point, Ga.

Opening times will remain at 6 a.m. for all stores.

“We’re continually exploring ways to better serve our communities. After considering feedback from market leadership, associates and customers, we’ve decided to adjust operating hours,” a Walmart spokesperson said.

The changes come after fires were set at two Walmart locations in Atlanta, resulting in the permanent closure of one store. The other store, located in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood, is being reopened as a Walmart Neighborhood Market and will include a police department substation.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the police presence is designed to discourage shoplifting.

“You’re thinking about going into this Walmart to do some shoplifting or a robbery or whatever — you see the APD logo and you say, ‘Ah, not today,’” Dickens said.

The store will include an area for officers to complete paperwork and hold meetings as well as charging their phones and body cameras.