Walmart opens one of its newest stores this morning in an area of Gwinnett County ripe for revitalization.

The area of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Rockbridge Road known as Green's Corner was one a premiere shopping district in the Norcross/Tucker area.  But as businesses, including a Super Kmart, became vacant over the last decade, crime increased in the area.

"Police spent a lot of time there (with) graffiti, gang activity; and when Walmart purchased the property, all of that went away," says Chuck Warbington, executive director of the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District.

He tells WSB's Sandra Parrish business owners and residents are happy to see the new retailer open its doors.

"It's a big shot in the arm to an area that needed it especially with it being economically challenged over the past five to ten years," says Warbington.

He says since word of the new Walmart has gotten out, his office has received calls from brokers and other businesses interested in possibly locating there.

New attorney Lisa Luong, who actually grew up in the area, opened her first office in an adjacent strip center last month because of the new store.

"We knew that would drive in a lot of traffic and help our business as well," she says.

Walmart's opening creates 200 new jobs for the area and will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.