Walmart’s 40-year presence in Illinois Valley began with Peru opening in 1986

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley.

The original Peru location opened in an 80,000-square-foot building that today houses Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby. The store moved to its current supercenter site on Aug. 8, 2007, along Route 251 north of Interstate 80.

Wal-Mart store manager Don Bruess photos for a photo near the check out lanes when store first opened on Tuesday, April 1, 1986 in Peru. — Wal-Mart store manager Don Bruess took a photo near the check out lanes when store first opened on Tuesday, April 1, 1986 in Peru. (La Salle NewsTribune File Photo)

On opening day in 1986, city officials, chamber leaders, and store associates gathered to see the new retailer. Inside, shoppers found merchandise in 36 departments.

Grand opening specials reflected the era: a Soundesign portable cassette player for $39.97, a Hamilton Beach food processor for $34.84, men’s and women’s jogger shoes for $7.99, and Masters of the Universe toys for $3.88 each.

The store employed 170 people. Store manager Don Bruess said at the time that the Peru and La Salle economy looked promising for Walmart’s future.

“The Peru and La Salle economy looked promising for Walmart’s future,” Bruess said.

Three years later, founder Sam Walton visited the Peru store during a 1989 stop in the region.

The late Sam Walton greeted employees at his first Peru store in 1989. (NewsTribune file)

Walmart across the Illinois Valley

Ottawa

Ottawa’s Walmart opened on New Year’s Eve in 1985 on Etna Road, where Warehouse Bargains is located today. The building measured 91,115 square feet.

The store moved to its current Supercenter on Veterans Drive on Aug. 16, 2006, occupying a 205,000-square-foot facility.

Princeton

Princeton’s original Walmart opened on March 5, 1985, at the site where The Closet, Dollar Tree, and Tractor Supply Co. are located today. The current Walmart Supercenter location opened on Oct. 16, 2002.

Streator

Streator’s Walmart opened on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The 125,000-square-foot store is located on the north end of town along Illinois Route 23. Plans for the store were in development since Dec. 2006.

Morris

Morris’s Walmart opened Sept. 2, 1986, in what is today the Runnings Department Store building. It relocated to its current Supercenter store in 1998.

Spring Valley

In 1999, Walmart Stores Inc. selected Spring Valley as the site for a 1.2 million square foot regional distribution center. The Walmart Distribution Center opened the following year in 2000.