Bethlehem has witnessed a pair of grand, celebratory business openings recently, but few beyond staff, managers and local officials were witness to the boisterous goings-on.

That’s because in each case, first Wal-Mart and then England-based Primark, the facilities in question were massive new distribution complexes along Commerce Center Boulevard, between the city proper and Hellertown.

Wal-Mart in late July held a circus-like event for the christening of its astonishingly huge 1.2 million square-foot building, which is now serving as a major distribution hub for the company’s network of internet-related shipping sites. Combined with another local facility, Wal-Mart estimates it will generate about 1,000 local jobs .

Meanwhile Primark, a premier European clothing retailer, has joined with American logistics company Exel to open their own distribution center just down the road. It’s Primark’s first such facility in the country, and it will serve stores they have opening around the East Coast – the closest of which will be at the Willow Grove Mall.

Primark officials said at its Sept. 3 opening this 677,000 square-foot facility will eventually create as many as 100 local jobs.