Walmart hiring 300 for new Fresno store

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A major retailer is actively looking to fill 300 positions in Central Fresno. A new Walmart super center is expected to help revive a neighborhood.

The Blackstone and Ashlan area could use a facelift after Mervyn's closed in 2008 and left a major shopping void. Now the old site is being turned into a Walmart super store.

To get ready for the January opening Walmart needs to hire 300 employees. Marcia Fleming has been out of work since 2010. She hoped to land one of the available positions.

"The search has been difficult for me," said Fleming. "I don't know why but I know it's got to do with the economy. But I have hope. This Walmart opening up is giving a lot of Fresnans hope right now."

The Walmart job fair at Blackstone and Dakota will last through Friday. Interviews will be conducted between 8am and 4pm.

Walmart backroom manager Dominic Ornelas told me he is looking for confident and out-going people.

Ornelas said, "I think it's important for the community just because the building's been empty for quite a few years. The fact we're going in there to renovate it and make it into a Walmart super center just to help the community out and to be honest help us out."

Many of the job seekers live in the area so not only do they look forward to shopping at the new store, they also want to work there.

Job-seeker Miranda Mendez said, "It's perfect actually. They have a variety in one. Actually for Walmart it's a good idea to expand the company."

The new Walmart super center is hiring both full-time and part-time positions.