The Sault’s new Giant Tiger location at Wellington Square Mall on Trunk Road was originally scheduled to open its doors for its first day in business at 8 a.m. Saturday, but store management opted to open at 7 a.m. upon seeing a long lineup of eager customers outside.
By 8 a.m., approximately 100 customers had already been in and out of the store buying up merchandise, said Matt Letourneau, Ottawa-based Giant Tiger community and events associate, in town for the opening of the retailer’s Sault opening, speaking to SooToday.
“We had 57 people in line at seven o’clock. We had five people show up at one o’clock this morning...they were excited and ready to go,” said Taryn Riley, Giant Tiger manager in training, who made the trip from the chain’s Windsor store to help out with the Sault opening.
Customers were lined up as far back as the mall’s I.D.A. Drug Mart at 8 a.m., waiting for entry.
$5 gift cards were available for the first 100 customers.
The opening of the Sault Giant Tiger store, which offers a range of merchandise from clothing to produce and meat, comes after months of anticipation among Saultites looking for another local shopping option.
“What a great place to come to shop. I’ve been looking forward to having Giant Tiger in our city. It’s Canadian-owned and their prices are amazing. I’m looking for good bargains and because today is my birthday I’m treating myself to some new clothing,” said Margaret Nowak.
“It’s awesome. It’s about time we got a Giant Tiger. I’ve been looking forward to this for a very long time,” said Colleen Tauvette.
“I like the variety and it’s less expensive. We used to travel all the way to Sturgeon Falls to go to a Giant Tiger. Now we’ve got one of our own. Isn’t that awesome?” Tauvette said.
“It’s competition for the big box stores. It’s a smaller venue and it’s got good quality items,” said Tony Larabie.
“I love it. I’ll be back. It’s somewhere else to shop. I’m doing Christmas shopping,” smiled a customer who identified herself as Melissa.
As reported earlier the local store, employing 50 people (about 60 per cent of them full-time employees) and almost 20,000 square feet in size, is the 262nd Giant Tiger Store in Canada.
