The lure to be back in Andalusia and one day build a house brought Earl Alsobrooks back to the area as Walmart’s new store manager.

Alsobrooks spent the last year or so working at the Geneva location before making his return. Alsobrooks’ first day was Saturday.

Before taking over the Geneva store, Alsobrooks worked in Andalusia for approximately seven years.

“I’ve been here not even a week,” Alsobrooks said.

Alsobrooks began his working career right out of high school in retail. The Clarksville, Tenn., native and now Opp resident, worked for Kuhn’s-Big K out of Nashville. Kuhn’s was a discount store that was bought out by Walmart in the early 1980s.

“I’ve been with Walmart since 1984,” he said.

As store manager, Alsobrooks will oversee the general operation of the store.

Alsobrooks has come a long way since he started his career in retail, he said.

“Straight out I was pushing carts and I worked my way up,” he said. “I’ve been all over Tennessee, and worked at one store in Arkansas.”

Alsobrooks also spent more than 20 years working at a store in Mississippi. The Andalusia store is his sixth Walmart to manage.

“I’ve been around a day or two,” he quipped.

What drew him back to the store is family.

“When this position came open here, I reapplied for it,” he said. “My wife (Susanne) is from here. I actually bought some land here a couple years ago, and I plan on making this my home.”

When asked what makes Walmart such a special place to work, Alsobrooks said the company is “great.”

“They’ve been good to me all of these years,” he said. “That’s pretty much all I’ve done since I’ve been out of school. This is a great town and a great store. I’m glad to be running it.”