Walmart plans a Lower Greenville return, but with a store you wouldn't expect

It's not quite like the Amazon Go store which lacks a checkout and operates through an app, sensors and cameras, but it is a wave to the future of shopping and the mixing of online with in-store experiences. It will be the first Sam's Club with a digital price tags on shelves. The store will also offer same-day pick-up and delivery options.

Membership sign-ups and merchandise returns will also be faster, said Nathan Barr, a spokesman for Sam's Club. Staffers will have mobile devices "to reduce friction points and make it easier to shop with us."

"We think it's going to be a cool store for a cool neighborhood," Barr said.

Walmart needs no city approvals, but is seeking new permits to operate the store. The building is owned by local real estate investor Mitchell Rasansky, but Walmart has it leased through 2032 and has been paying rent all this time.

The retailer has already spoken with leaders of the Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association and said the store will be "an active member of the community." It will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"We know this site has been a subject of conversation over the years, and we are committed to being a good neighbor," the company said in a statement. "We believe this will be a great use for this facility in this exciting part of town."

It's an urban location, but not as close to downtown Dallas as a Sam's Club had wanted at one time. Walmart waged a long battle to try to put a Sam's Club at Cityplace, just north of downtown on North Central Expressway. But finally gave up on those plans last summer after the neighborhood protested that it was too big and not the right fit for apartment and condo dwellers.

The former Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in October 2012 and closed in January 2016. It never quite took off with the Lakewood and East Dallas shoppers. It was also just a couple blocks from a Trader Joe's that opened about the same time.

"Dallas is such an important market where we often test innovations and roll out new services. This store is one more example of how important the Dallas customer is and how much we value that market," said Anne Hatfield, Walmart spokeswoman in Texas.

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