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Slumberland could occupy former Walmart

JANESVILLE — More than two years after Walmart moved to its new location, city officials hope they have found a business to fill most of its old building.

The city has received a preliminary building permit application to put a Slumberland Furniture franchise in the building at the intersection of highways 14 and 26, said Gale Price, manager of building and development services.

The franchise would occupy 30,000 square feet of space in the old Walmart shell, leaving room for one more tenant among the Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree stores already there, Price said.

Price does not have the name yet of the person or persons hoping to open the franchise, he said. The project's architect, Steve Shulfer, has represented the project so far, Price said.

There's no firm timeline for the project, but the store could be open in summer, Price said. The plan includes some minor exterior work and a complete renovation of the interior, he said.

Once Price approves a building plan, the owner will apply for a final building permit, he said.

City officials are happy to be filling the old Walmart site, even though it's taken some time, Price said.

"The key is we're reusing an older building instead of plowing under a farm field," he said.

The Minnesota-based Slumberland has 113 stores in 10 states, according to its Web site. It started selling mattresses and La-Z-Boy furniture but now sells furniture for all rooms of the house.