Walmart could open a new grocery store in Carolina Shores. Here’s what we know

Carolina Shores residents needing a new grocery store could see one open soon.

An engineering firm representing Walmart submitted a plan to the Town of Carolina Shores for a new store, Town Administrator Chad Hicks said. The planned store would utilize about 27 acres of a more than 38-acre plot of land, Hicks said. The supercenter would be about 171,000 square feet with a fuel station accompanied by five out lots and more than 700 parking spots, according to the proposal submitted by the engineering and consulting firm Atwell.

The lot is along US Highway 17 and nearby Marlowtown Road. Hicks added that the plot of land is mostly pasture, so clear-cutting trees are not required for construction.

“It was definitely envisioned that that would be high-density commercial on that 17 corridor,” Hicks added.

The proposal could go before the Planning Board as early as May 15, 2024, 11 a.m. EST, Hicks said. Hicks also said the plan would need one reading by the city board of commissioners before final approval can be given, which could happen as early as June 10, 2024.

Walmart did not return a request for comment before publication.

The new Walmart opens as Carolina Shores has grown in recent years, Hicks said. Rocket Homes’ Housing Market Report indicates that Carolina Shores is currently in a sellers’ market, meaning home prices are high and new properties sell quickly. Indeed, home sales are up close to 12 percent from March 2024 to April 2024, according to Rocket Homes.

Hicks added that only about eight tracts of land zoned for commercial development, amounting to roughly 200 acres within Carolina Shores, remain. Hicks added that the town is currently uninterested in annexing more land, so Carolina Shores is close to fully developed at this time.

“We don’t really have a lot more area to grow to, so I think we’re probably pretty much near our max,” he added.

The new store was first reported by The Brunswick Beacon.