A soft opening of the new Super Walmart is in the planning stages before a formal ribbon cutting ceremony is held.

Whitehal Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the township has not yet been provided with the store opening date. However, there have been unconfirmed reports the store could open in late October, before the holiday season.

The formal opening, it was said, would not take place until the present Walmart, which in recent years underwent extensive interior and exterior remodeling, is demolished and a new parking lot constructed in its place.

Range Road, between Eberhart Road and Schadt Avenue, which was closed for several weeks for construction involving the new store, has now been reopened to traffic.

Hozza said Range Road was shut down for several weeks on a temporary basis for construction of storm water inlets and curb cuts.

The Super Walmart will include a full grocery store and market.

Also, at the former Circuit City, off of Grape Street, extensive remodeling is taking place for conversion of part of the large building to house a Hibachi Grill restaurant. There are no immediate prospective tenants for other spaces in the commercial structure.

Hibachi Grill has not yet said when it will open its doors to the public.