The wheels are in motion for a new Walmart at what is now Kenrick Plaza in Shrewsbury.
The second-hand clothing and home items store, Value Village, closed on Sunday and was empty by Tuesday afternoon; its contents taken to the Fenton location. For now, the store won’t have a Shrewsbury/Affton location.
Fred Reiser has worked at Value Village since 1996. He was resting in the empty shell Tuesday afternoon after several days of work.
He talked about the business’ attempt to move to Affton that was stopped by St. Louis County councilman Steve Stenger, who thought it wasn’t a good fit. That location, a former PetCo, still sits empty.
Reiser said they tried Deer Creek in Maplewood, but Marshall’s has a non-compete claus that kept them out.
He also talked about forming relationships with customers over the years. “One time I sold a real Rolex to a lady and every time she came in, she’s like, ‘Remember when you sold me that Rolex?’ Yeah, I remember,” he says.
Another woman liked finding pennies on the floor, so he planted them when he saw her coming. “I found nine pennies today!” she’d tell him.
Reiser said Kenrick Plaza will be demolished sometime soon, with the old Kenrick movie theater coming down last.