Marshalls Discount Prices Lure Crowds

A handful of people waited outside of Marshalls in the chilly autumn air Thursday morning for the grand opening of Santa Cruz's newest big-box store. At least one woman was at the store as early as 6 a.m. waiting for the doors to open.

Michelle Norlin, an Aptos resident, arrived at the store shortly after that, at 7:15 a.m.

"I get regular alerts in my e-mail from Marshalls," she said. "So that's how I heard about it."

She was thrilled to have a local Marshalls store and planned to head straight to the shoe section once the doors opened.

"You can really get some fabulous bargains," she said. "Ross is going to be put to shame."

By the time 8 a.m. rolled around, the store had more than a hundred people pouring in to check out the sparking new wares—including a large display of Giants gear right inside the doors. And by 8:15, the parking lot had folks circling for spots.

The opening of Marshalls offers a boost to the local economy. The store means local jobs for more than 60 full and part-time workers, many of whom greeted shoppers all day Thursday.

Community outreach

The opening of Marshalls brought more than crowds of excited shoppers. Representatives from the Dominican Hospital Foundation were on hand to accept a $5,000 donation.

"It will go directly to our pediatrics outreach program, which serves 1,400 low-income children in Santa Cruz County," said Sam Leask, executive director of the Foundation.

He explained that Marshalls' interest in working with community programs that benefit children jibed with the pediatric services program.

"This will help," he said. "Very much."

Opposition

With the opening of a new big-box store in Santa Cruz,  a little local protest is not unexpected. Half a dozen people in construction vests passed out fliers decrying Marshalls' parent-company TJX construction practices.

An inflatable corporate pig was stationed in a flat-bed pick-up outside of the store's front doors.

None of the workers would speak with media. The flier suggested they were representing Carpenters Local 505 and alleged the company that worked on the construction did not pay the standard wages in and around the area. Several message were left with the union, but no calls were returned.

"At TJX, treating people with fairness and conducting ourselves with integrity has always been of utmost importance," said Doreen Thompson, vice president of corporate communications for Marshalls' parent company, TJX. "In Santa Cruz, TJX hired a general contractor for the construction project who was responsible for hiring subcontractors. Our agreements with general contractors require compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations."

The folks passing out fliers didn't seem to deter most shoppers entering the store. Sheila Lowery, a Santa Cruz resident, was thrilled to have a new low-cost retailer in town.

"We need more stores," she said. "A lot of times we have to get on the freeway."

And some of the other local options don't fit her needs. "I can't remember the last time I shopped at the Capitola Mall."

The new Marshalls store is at 1664 Commercial Way in Santa Cruz.