Two years after plans for a potential Target-anchored shopping center in Hampstead captured local attention, new filings suggest that the same 42-acre property along U.S. Highway 17 could soon host a Walmart Supercenter.
According to StarNews Online, the tract — once proposed as the future home of a Target store — was sold earlier this year for approximately $10.6 million to Stanley Land & Timber, a group tied to Stanley Group developers. The new owner has since filed documentation linking the parcel to Walmart’s development plans, signaling a major shift in the future of Hampstead’s long-discussed retail expansion.
A “Spot” with Familiar History
The property in question sits between the ABC Liquor Store and The Beacon, the professional office complex along Highway 17.
For years, the land was best known as the traditional home of the North Carolina Spot Festival — a long-running local event celebrating Hampstead’s coastal heritage and community spirit.
In 2023, Florida-based Impeccable Development — a team led by four real estate entrepreneurs including former NBA and Team USA basketball player Carlos Boozer — submitted plans that envisioned a 147,000-square-foot Target department store as the anchor tenant. That plan included well-known retail names such as TJ Maxx, Five Below, and Ulta in adjacent spaces. But while the concept generated excitement, it also faced logistical challenges and community skepticism over traffic, infrastructure, and environmental strain.
The Walmart Shift
Fast forward to 2025, and attention has now turned from one retail giant to another: Walmart.
Public records and site plans reviewed by StarNews and other outlets — including Yahoo News and AOL News — show designs consistent with a full-scale Walmart Supercenter footprint. The proposed layout includes a main store structure with surrounding outparcels likely intended for restaurants, small retailers, or service providers.
As of October 2025, Walmart has not issued an official statement or filed vertical construction permits, but site preparation could begin as early as 2026 pending final county and state transportation approvals. The scale of the planned development suggests a substantial investment, potentially bringing hundreds of jobs and a major new commercial anchor to southern Pender County.
Traffic, Noise, and Environmental Considerations
While some residents welcome the convenience of a large retailer and expanded local shopping options, many more worry about the growing strain on Highway 17. The corridor is already among the busiest stretches of roadway in coastal North Carolina, serving both daily commuters to Wilmington and rapidly expanding neighborhoods throughout Hampstead and Scotts Hill.
Local planning officials have confirmed that traffic mitigation plans are part of ongoing discussions, including potential new turning lanes and traffic signal adjustments near the proposed site entrance. Meanwhile, environmental advocates continue to express concerns about stormwater runoff and light pollution — both persistent issues in the region’s rapid growth.
Economic & Community Impact
The shift from a Target proposal to a Walmart concept signals a different kind of investment focus for Hampstead. Walmart’s model emphasizes everyday goods, grocery access, and affordability, which could attract more consistent year-round traffic compared to the seasonal and destination-oriented Target plan.
For local residents, that tradeoff means easier access to essentials without driving into Wilmington — but also the potential for more congestion and increased competition for small businesses nearby. Still, many acknowledge that the land’s transformation from festival grounds to retail center was likely inevitable given Hampstead’s sustained population growth and strategic location along the coastal corridor.
What Comes Next?
At this point, no groundbreaking date has been announced. County planning records show the land is zoned appropriately for commercial development, and initial review stages are underway. The next visible step for residents will likely be site grading and infrastructure work sometime in 2026.
As more details emerge, Topsail Guide will continue following this story — tracking development timelines, community meetings, and the evolving design for what could soon become one of Pender County’s most significant commercial projects in decades.
