To the likely delight of many residents — and to the dismay of others — in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and eastern New Tampa, plans for a second Walmart in Wesley Chapel are continuing to move forward, with construction expected to begin later this year. Here’s everything you need to know.
First reported in these pages in July 2025 as part of a Two Rivers development update, the new Walmart is planned for the southwest corner of S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Rd., just inside the boundary of the River Landing Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) and across Morris Bridge Rd. from the burgeoning Two Rivers community.
Early rumors had suggested the site might become a Lowe’s Home Improvement store, but those plans have since been replaced — and all signs now point clearly to Walmart — despite a lack of markings on the county-approved renderings — and those approvals are helping it along.
A Slightly Smaller — But Fully Equipped — Walmart Store
According to the latest site plan (left), the new Walmart will be slightly smaller than others in the area, totaling approximately 183,000 sq. ft.
By comparison, most nearby Walmart Supercenters easily exceed 200,000 sq. ft. Despite the reduced footprint, the store is expected to include a full range of features, including a full liquor store, a drive-through pharmacy, a dedicated curbside pickup area, an auto care center and a large gas station with a 1,600-square-foot convenience store and up to 20 fueling positions located near the signal (as shown in plans from April).
Notably, aside from the gas station, there will be no additional outparcels or standalone businesses on the Walmart site.
How Do We ‘Know’ It’s A Walmart?
Interestingly, none of the official permits or early plans explicitly state that the store will be a Walmart and no renderings were initially released — prompting some skepticism, even from us.
Furthermore, the project is being developed by Stiles Corporation, a Ft. Lauderdale-based firm better known for building Publix-anchored centers and Costco developments, with no clear history of Walmart projects. That alone raised eyebrows. So we dug deeper.
The confirmation came in an unexpected way: the curbside pickup parking signage shown in the plans (right) matched exactly with newly installed signage around the New Tampa Walmart — right down to the color specification labeled “Walmart Blue” (under “Pickup & Pharmacy”).
That detail, combined with the overall site layout and operational features, provided the “smoking gun.”
In other words, while the official “Walmart” storefront signage and announcement from corporate may come later, the parking lot plans already gave it away.
Why This Location?
Some residents have questioned the need for another Walmart in our area, but the reasoning largely comes down to spacing and demand.
This new store will sit approximately:
• 8 miles from the Walmart on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel
• 9 miles from the Bruce B. Downs location in New Tampa
• 9 miles from the Zephyrhills Walmart on Gall Blvd. (U.S. Hwy. 301)
This creates a fairly typical “coverage triangle,” with an average spacing of about 8 miles between stores — a pattern Walmart has replicated across Florida.
Equally important, this location will serve the southern portion of Zephyrhills, an area that currently relies heavily on the northern Zephyrhills store — and a store that many shoppers know can be overcrowded, with frequent inventory shortages and parking challenges.
The new Walmart is clearly expected to help relieve that pressure while supporting the overall region’s continued population growth.
The River Landing Connection
The Walmart site falls within the 801-acre River Landing MPUD, which also includes the communities known as River’s Edge and Summerstone. River Landing has long-held entitlements for 250,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space and 150,000 sq. ft. of office space — and, to date, none of that commercial square footage has been developed, despite the residential portions of the MPUD being largely built out. The vacant corners at S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Rd. — where the Walmart is planned — were always intended for this type of use.
The only remaining residential component currently under construction (on the north side of S.R. 56) within River Landing is a 266-unit townhome development.
Morris Bridge Rd. Improvements
As the Walmart project advances, so do plans to address traffic concerns along Morris Bridge Rd. On April 21, 2026, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved a development agreement (DA) tied to the project that includes significant roadway upgrades:
• Widening Morris Bridge Rd. from two lanes to four lanes between Colston Ave./Oldwoods Ave. and S.R. 56
• Construction of a four-lane roundabout on Morris Bridge Rd. at the main southern development entrance
• New turn lanes at the S.R. 56 intersection
• Installation of 10-foot multi-use paths on both sides of Morris Bridge Rd.
The Walmart developer will fund the design and construction of these improvements, with the county providing approximately $4.7 million in reimbursement because of the regional nature of the improvements..
While some residents voiced concerns about traffic and noise — particularly related to the Walmart — county officials emphasized that this DA strictly addressed roadway infrastructure, with commercial development details handled separately.
Looking Ahead
With approvals in place and infrastructure planning under way, the long-anticipated Walmart appears to be on track to break ground soon.
For an area experiencing rapid growth, the addition represents both a response to increasing demand and a continuation of the broader buildout of Two Rivers and surrounding communities.
As always, the Neighborhood News will continue to follow updates as this project moves from planning to construction.