New details have emerged regarding the proposed Walmart location in Hampstead.
A major site development plan recently submitted to Pender County revealed several new specifics about the superstore location
-- including that it will be larger than the original estimate.
The Hampstead Walmart, which has been rumored for well over a year now, would be the third location in Pender County. The brand currently has a superstore in Burgaw and a neighborhood market -- a smaller, grocery-oriented location -- in Surf City.
Currently, the nearest Walmart Supercenter to the potential new location is at 8025 Market St. in New Hanover County -- around 7 miles from the site in Hampstead. Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust purchased property on U.S. 17 for around $15.5 million.
New features
Plans originally showed the superstore at around 171,000 square feet, but that has risen to 181,000 square feet in the newest plans. According to Pender County Communications Director Brandi Cobb, the increase reflects Walmart’s need for additional space.
One key feature confirmed in the new plans is a canopied drive-thru pharmacy, something not shared in every Wilmington-area Walmart.
The plans also confirm that an outparcel bordering U.S. 17 would be dedicated to an 8-pump fuel center.
A commercial center
It isn't just Walmart that could be on the way. Plans show that six additional commercial outparcels would be located around the superstore.
The fuel center would take up one of these outparcels, but it isn’t immediately clear what businesses might occupy the rest. However, previous plans showed that possibilities included more retail, sit-down and fast-food restaurants, and coffee shops.
Where is Walmart going in Hampstead?
Walmart is looking to build south of the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 on land that many Pender County residents may know, as the field that has historically been used to host the N.C. Spot Festival.
The Spot Festival has confirmed that it will still hold the event at the site this year on Nov. 7 and 8.
As for getting to the Walmart, the site plans show accesses from both U.S. 17 and N.C. 210.
A traffic analysis on earlier plans estimated that the shopping center would attract over 16,000 daily trips.
What’s next?
The project went to the Pender County Technical Review Committee for comments on Oct. 1, 2026. From there, projects typically go before the county’s planning board, where they receive a recommendation for approval or denial.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New details revealed for proposed Hampstead Walmart
