BURLINGTON - Not even a Hollywood plastic surgeon could top this facelift.

Visitors to Wal-Mart today would hardly recognize it as the same store that opened 13 years ago.

The store has evolved into the Wal-Mart Supercenter with a space that has almost doubled in size.

Although the Supercenter has been open for business since June 2003, a big part of the store's official grand opening to be held May 12 will include something everyone needs - groceries.

The 75,000 square-foot grocery department will offer meat, bakery, deli, produce/vegetables, dairy, frozen and dry/canned foods.

"It will be a 30-minute, short and sweet ceremony,"

store manager Duane Cook said.

The store's management will be introduced and the National Anthem will be sung by the grocery department's meat manager and former gospel group singer - Mark Toney.

The ceremony will

also announce annual corporate headquarter donations to the community. Approximately 23 grants between $500 and $1,000 will be given to local schools, villages and other community-based projects and organizations, Cook said.

Local schools benefitting from those funds include the district here, Dawson-Bryant, Rock Hill and Chesapeake. Ironton's Helping Hands and City Mission will also be Wal-Mart grant recipients.

Groceries will not be the only addition to Wal-Mart's grand opening.

The familiar name, Regis, will open doors to a company hair salon in the store. Two new store departments open now is the Family Fun Center arcade and Wireless Connection Center - a cellular phone department.

The Wal-Mart Supercenter is now

home to departments covering everything from automotive to vision services.

Jamie Trent of Burlington went Friday evening to pick up a custom-made ring she and her siblings pre-ordered for her mom as a Mother's Day present.

As a working mother, Trent said she finds it convenient that Wal-Mart is open 24 hours-a-day and the added convenience of groceries will be a plus.

Tonya Workman of Kenova, W.Va., agreed.

"I come here all the time because I enjoy the prices."

"We have quality products and food to offer to the community…" said Cook, "…It's a one-stop shopping experience right here locally."

The store was expanded by all four walls - only about 40 feet of the original walls remain said Cook.

The manager said not only has the construction been a long, hard road for Wal-Mart, but also for customers.

"I know they (customers) have had to put up with a lot of growing pains with us and they have shown a lot of patience. …But the reality is we're going to end up with a beautiful store for them to shop in," he said.