BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The city's first Wal-Mart Supercenter opened Wednesday morning, putting an end to years of delays and legal fights.

Wal-Mart closed its traditional-style store on White Lane on Tuesday night and is folding those assets into the new 218,145-square-foot Supercenter off Panama Lane. The store's staff will double to 800 because of the relocation and expansion, according to a company news release.

Two Supercenters were approved for construction in 2002 by the Bakersfield City Council, but lawsuits from environmental groups halted construction on this store in 2004. With that litigation resolved, construction is now underway on the second Supercenter, which will be located off Gosford Road south of District Boulevard.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart previously operated three stores in Bakersfield, but none of them were Supercenters.

Supercenters feature added amenities and product offerings. The Supercenter off Panama Lane offers a full line of groceries and will have more than 30 merchandise departments. It also has a pharmacy, nail and hair salons, McDonald's restaurant and Tri Counties Bank branch, according to the news release.

Store manager Harry Fenske, a Wal-Mart veteran since 1988, and crew cut the ribbon at 7:30 a.m., and the store officially opening at 8 a.m.

The Supercenter will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, company officials said.

Below are some images from Wednesday morning's grand opening.