The Brandon Walmart store reopens Friday 7 months after the store closed without notice.
More than 400 employees were laid off in April, as Walmart blamed "plumbing problems" for the sudden shut down, which led to a firestorm of conspiracy and curiosity.
Now, Walmart's media relations department tells me all the plumbing repairs are complete and they've made extensive renovations throughout the store. But the best news for employees: those who still haven't found another job will be able to return to work.
Walmart came under fire this past spring as several Walmart stores across the country closed without warning.
Employees protested here in Brandon after 2,200 employees were let go nationwide, 430 in Brandon, all because of similar "plumbing issues" that "required extensive repairs".
Since the April 13th closure, construction crews at the Brandon store replaced sagging and damaged plumbing lines and refrigeration equipment.
As for Walmart workers, nearly two-thirds of them were transferred to other stores in the bay area, and they've been given the chance to come back to work at the Brandon store.
One big change: Walmart added a 4,000-square-foot liquor store that opens Friday as part of the renovation.
