Real Estate Log: Walmart goes small with Fresno market

Walmart is known for its supercenter expansions, but the retail giant is going small with its latest Fresno project.

The company is building a 40,000-square-foot neighborhood market at Willow and Herndon avenues. That’s just two miles west of a 212,000-square-foot supercenter that is under construction near Highway 168 in Clovis.

Walmart spokeswoman Delia Garcia said the company “is always looking for opportunities to serve our customers.”

The company started designing the small grocery stores in 1998 and has about 200 nationwide, according to its website.

Walmart’s market concept is similar to Fresh & Easy stores, which opened across the Valley in 2010, and the new Dollar General Markets that have recently popped up in town.

“Designed for convenient grocery shopping, customers will find a full line of fresh groceries, meat and dairy products, dry goods and staples, as well as household supplies, and pharmacy services,” Garcia said.

The Fresno store is expected to create about 75 jobs, Garcia said. It is scheduled to open in summer 2013.

The company is also building a market in Visalia on the corner of Demaree Street and Goshen Avenue, just north of Highway 198. That store is expected to create about 60 jobs.

Realtors group names new officers for 2013

The Fresno Association of Realtors has announced its new officers for 2013.

John Shamshoian, owner of Realty Concepts, a Fresno residential real estate company, will be the trade association’s president in January. He takes over for Dan Hawkins, a broker and associate, also at Realty Concepts.

It’s hard to believe this is Shamshoian’s first time sitting in the hot seat. He has 34 years of real estate experience and has served two different times as a director for the association.

“I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly,” Shamshoian said.

His first goal next year is to improve the relationships between real estate agents and strengthen the association.

“We’re going to do various functions through the year to bring Realtors together and hopefully by doing that it’s going to improve the way we communicate better.”

And what does Shamshoian think the housing market will look like next year?

Mortgage interest rates are still low and while home prices have increased in the last year, they are still lower than the peak of the market in 2006, he said.

“Big times are right in front of us,” Shamshoian said.

Other officers include: Liz Kuchinski, president-elect; Joan Jolly, treasurer; Bob Wiginton, chairman of the Multiple Listing Service; Ron Shapazian, chair-elect and nine directors and eight MLS committee members.

By BoNhia Lee