DERRY — Walmart opened up shop at its new quarters on Ashleigh Drive last week, but it looks like its former building on Manchester Road won't be empty for long.

“The old location has been purchased by Ocean State Job Lot,” said Town Administrator John Anderson.

Ocean State Job Lot is a discount close-out retailer based in Kingstown, R.I., with more than 100 stores in New England and northern New York. There are currently nine stores in New Hampshire, according to the company website.

Plans to rehabilitate the former Walmart building will likely be coming before the Planning Board in the near future, according to Anderson.

As work to widen Manchester Road in the town's TIF district nears completion, Anderson said there have been businesses expressing interest in other locations along Manchester Road and on Ashleigh Drive near the new Super Walmart.

According to Anderson, about 95 percent of the underground work for the road project is completed, with the entire project still on track for completion in November.

“We've seen an increase in the number of inquiries on Manchester Road and Ashleigh Drive,” he said. “The investment in the TIF district is paying handsome dividends.”

Even some of the existing businesses in the commercial district have undergone a makeover. The Applebees restaurant on Manchester Road closed earlier this week for several days of interior and exterior renovations.

“It looks like an entirely new facility,” said Anderson.

Scheduled work on Manchester Road next week includes drainage construction in the area of Linlew Drive and Clearbrook Center with a signal foundation and temporary signal installation as well as northbound sidewalk construction, according to Public Works Director Mike Fowler.

Daytime lane shifts will be in place to accommodate drainage and signal construction, and minor delays are expected.

“We can see the end of the project happening, and it's great stuff,” said Town Councilor Joel Olbricht.

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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.