You’ve probably seen some massive Walmart Supercenters in your time. Usually, they’re these sprawling, single-story concrete boxes that seem to go on for miles. But there’s one location in Upstate New York that makes a standard Supercenter look like a corner convenience store.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a legend in the retail world.
The largest Walmart in the US is located at Crossgates Commons in Albany, New York. If you haven't been there, it’s hard to wrap your head around just how big this place is. Most Supercenters hover around 180,000 square feet. This beast? It’s nearly 260,000 square feet.
That’s about 40% more space to lose your car keys in.
What Makes the Largest Walmart in the US So Different?
The most striking thing about the Albany Supercenter isn't just the sheer square footage; it’s the layout. It is one of the very few Walmarts in the country that has two stories.
Back in the 90s, this building actually housed two separate entities. There was a regular Walmart on the top floor and a Sam’s Club on the bottom. When Sam’s Club moved out in 2006, Walmart didn't just let the space sit there or look for a new tenant. They decided to eat the space below them.
They literally cut a hole in the floor.
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They installed escalators and elevators, turning two separate stores into one massive, vertical retail machine. By 2008, it officially opened as the giant we know today.
The Famous "Cartalator"
If you're wondering how you're supposed to get a cart full of milk and frozen pizzas between floors, the answer is the "cartalator." It’s basically a specialized escalator for shopping carts. You push your cart into a slot, it locks in, and it travels alongside you while you ride the human escalator.
It sounds like a small detail, but for years, people would visit this specific store just to watch the carts move. It’s strangely hypnotic.
Inside the Belly of the Albany Giant
The store is basically divided into two distinct worlds.
The Lower Level: The Grocery Hub
The bottom floor is almost entirely dedicated to food. Because of the size, the grocery section is significantly larger than what you’d find in a standard Supercenter. It feels more like a dedicated high-end supermarket. You’ve got the massive deli, the bakery, and rows upon rows of produce.
The Upper Level: Everything Else
Once you take the escalator up, you’re in the "general merchandise" zone. This is where you find the electronics, toys, apparel, and the garden center. Because the building is built into a hill, there are actually separate entrances for both floors from the outside.
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Dwayne Hazel, a former manager of this location (Store 2152), once mentioned that first-time visitors are often completely baffled. They’ll ask where the dog food is, and when an associate points them toward an escalator, their jaws just drop.
Is it Actually the Biggest in the World?
Here is where it gets interesting. While the Albany location holds the title for the largest Walmart in the US, it’s not the biggest on the planet.
That honor usually goes to a Walmart in Zhuhai, China. That store is an absolute monster, reportedly spanning over 1.2 million square feet. To put that in perspective, you could fit about four of the Albany Walmarts inside the Zhuhai location and still have room for a food court.
Still, for American standards, the Albany store is the heavyweight champion.
Why the Size Matters for Albany
You might wonder why Walmart needs 260,000 square feet in a city like Albany. It’s not just about bragging rights.
The store is situated less than a mile from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. During "move-in" week in August, the store becomes a war zone. Thousands of students descend on the place looking for bedding, mini-fridges, and enough Ramen to survive a semester.
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Without those two floors of inventory, the store would probably run out of stock in three hours.
A Different Kind of Shopping Vibe
You’d think a store this big would be a chaotic nightmare. Surprisingly, many locals and retail experts, including those from 24/7 Wall St., have noted that it feels weirdly calm.
Because the space is so vast, you aren't constantly bumping shoulders with other shoppers. The aisles are wide, the ceilings are high, and the two-story layout naturally segregates the "quick grocery run" crowd from the "browsing for a new TV" crowd.
What You Should Know Before You Visit
If you're planning a pilgrimage to the largest Walmart in the US, here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:
- Parking is a Puzzle: Since the store is built into a hill with two levels of entrances, check which floor you actually need before you park. If you're just grabbing milk, park at the rear entrance for the lower level.
- The Cartalator Carts: You have to use specific carts provided by the store for them to work on the escalator. Don’t try to bring a random cart from the parking lot that doesn't have the special locking mechanism.
- Allow Extra Time: Seriously. Walking from the back corner of the grocery section on the first floor to the electronics department on the second floor is a genuine workout.
Actionable Takeaway for Retail Fans
If you're a student of business or just a fan of "big things," visiting Store 2152 at Crossgates Commons is worth the detour. It represents a unique moment in retail history where a company chose to build "up" instead of "out," creating a hybrid shopping experience that we rarely see in the United States.
Check the store hours before you go—usually 6 AM to 11 PM—and maybe wear comfortable shoes. You're going to be doing a lot of walking.