Like any budding community, Monrovia is rapidly expanding with new businesses and stores. Among the long list of new additions to street corners and intersections, the brand-new Walmart Neighborhood Market is open and ready for business at the corner of Pine Grove and Wall Triana.

As the first big business to move beyond Highway 72 and toward the residential area, its opening will affect those who live in the area both positively and negatively.

“I think that the new Walmart opening up is going to be a great thing for the Harvest community because it not only allows residents to not have to travel as far, but it will also draw attention to the area, which might bring other businesses,” junior Caroline Barlow said.

The small-town aura of Harvest is slowly evaporating as more businesses fill in the empty fields and make room for growth. Even though Harvest is losing its rural vibe, more jobs and convenience are two pros that outweigh the cons of business expansion.

“I do think this Walmart is a sign of a growing community in the Harvest area, and I can see how it could be beneficial to our economic growth, but I grew up with little to no businesses in my town, and I’m a little sad to see it become more and more urbanized,” junior Miranda Pardue said. “In the end, it’s a good step, but one that I’m still not ready to fully accept.”