Hours set to change for Wal-Mart on Conley Road

A big change is happening for a busy Wal-Mart in Columbia.

Monday, ABC 17 News confirmed that the Conley Road store near Broadway, just east of downtown Columbia is no longer going to be open 24 hours.

The store will begin a new schedule by closing at midnight and re-open at 6 a.m. starting January 28.

Wal-Mart media relations spokesman Charles Crowson told ABC 17 News that the change was due to the current customer patterns.

“It’s something that is monitored in terms of customer shopping habits, and people just aren’t shopping as much after midnight,” Crowson said.

ABC 17 News had received a couple of tips from sources close to the store that the closing might be due to criminal activity happening during the late night hours.

When asked, Crowson said, “(I am) not aware of that,” and said the decision was based on customer trends.

ABC 17 News was told that the other two locations in Columbia will still remain open for 24-hours.