Hundreds of shoppers arrive at Carson Mall for Bealls department store grand opening
Bealls opened Thursday morning at Carson Mall to great fanfare with hundreds of customers arriving early to shop at Carson City's newest department store.
Bealls store manager Kessn Flitton said customers filed into the 24,000-square-foot store for the grand opening ribbon cutting, taking advantage of bargains, sales, 25 percent off coupons, shopping sprees, gift card and merchandise giveaways.
At least 300 customers went through cashier lines within the first hour of opening, said Regional Manager Lewis Rael.
The grand opening is part of an overall themed sidewalk sale now through the weekend at the Carson Mall, celebrating not only its latest tenant, but also Sportsman's Warehouse that opened earlier this month and Francisco's Mexican Restaurant, which will celebrate its grand opening Saturday.
With the anchor stores firmly in place, it gives other shops a shot in the arm with more walking customers dispersed throughout the mall. The grand opening ribbon cutting was hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Bob Crowell also welcomed the store to Carson City and a certificate from Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval was presented.
Bealls shoppers Tracee Naki and Teresa Dyke were among the hundreds walking through the aisles Thursday morning. "It's good for Carson City and good for the mall," said Naki. "More stores means more diversity and it keeps the shopping in town instead of having to go to Reno."
"I think it is awesome for Carson City. The mall was empty for so long so it is really good to see stores like this open," said Dyke.
The department store carries full lines of fashion wear for men, women and children, shoes, fragrances, accessories, gifts and housewares. The store also features popular cosmetic lines from Clinique and Estee Lauder, one of the only stores in Carson City to carry them, Flitton said.
The department store offers a 15 percent military discount and every Tuesday is Club 50, where anyone 50 and older with the free membership gets 20 percent off most merchandise. By mid morning 700 customers had signed up for the Club 50 Card.
With Wednesday's VIP night, where Carson City's movers and shakers were invited and dined on food catered by Bella Affair, the evening had the highest volume of sales for a VIP night in the company this year, said Rael.
The store in Carson City and another one which also opened Thursday in Fallon is part of the Houston, Texas-based Bealls overall plan to expand through the northwest. There's even plans to open a store in Gardnerville, said Rael.
Dayton shoppers Dan McLaughlin and Kristoper Mendibil stopped into the store for shoes, men's dress clothes and some wedding attire.
"It's really nice to have another fashion-fueled store in Carson City," said Mendibil as he waited in line to buy the shoes. "I like having another alternative to go to when I buy men's clothes," added McLaughlin.
Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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