Politics & Government

Marshalls Now Open In Easley

Marshalls donates $5,000 to S.H.I.N.E. as part of Grand Opening celebration

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For the past couple of weeks, Gerald Knight, Store Manager of the Easley Marshalls, and his staff have gotten used to a regular occurrence as they worked to get the store ready for it's Grand Opening.

β€œAs many of you now, 13 days ago when you walked by this building, there was nothing there,” Knight said this morning. I've seen many of you for the last 13 day. It's like that commercial for Marshalls where's she tapping on the window. I've seen you.”

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A large crowd of eager shoppers joined Marshalls staff, Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce members and Mayor Larry Bagwell this morning for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the new Marshalls.

β€œWe're really glad that you're here,” Knight said. β€œWe're really proud to be in Easley.”

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Knight thanked regional and district Marshalls staff as well as his Easley team.

β€œThere's an awful lot of hard work that's going into this, to really make us the retailer of choice in Easley,” he said. β€œI think you'll be able to see that today, because when you enter our store, you're going to see a beautiful store. We want you to have a level of service second to none. We want to bee sure that you leave highly satisfied, and if you're not I want you to come to me or any member of my staff, because our goal is to make sure that you're highly satisfied.”

Marshalls wants to be β€œa neighbor of choice,” in all its locations.

β€œWe get involved,” Knight said. β€œNationwide, we do things like juvenile diabetes. We do United Way, we do St. Jude's, Alzheimer's.”

In January, Knight visited with an area organization.

β€œIt was S.H.I.N.E – Stopping Hunger in Nearby Easley,” Knight said. β€œAnd I was most impressed by by what I saw, as to what they were doing with what they had.”

Knight and his staff presented S.H.I.N.E. Director Judy Burns with a $5,000 donation.

β€œWe certainly think that Marshalls is going will be a great asset to Easley” Burns said. β€œThis check will certainly go a long way for helping those who are less fortunate than we are this morning. When I got up this morning, it was 23 degrees. I could not help but think of all those people who did not have blankets or coats this morning.”

Mayor Bagwell welcomed Marshalls to Easley.

β€œAnybody that was a ribbon-cutting and an opening this early really means business,” Bagwell said. β€œWe're glad to have you in Easley. We don't want people to go to Greenville or Anderson. The City of Easley itself has invested a good bit of money in this project to bring people like you, Walmart and other stores to our area.

β€œIt's a big boost to our economy and we're glad to have you,” Bagwell said. β€œIt's a nice store. I can't wait to go inside and see what you've been bragging about. We look forward to a long prosperous relationship.”

β€œAre you ready to shop?” Knight asked the crowd.

β€œAre we ready to take care of our customers?” he asked his staff.

First customer Libby Rothell, who works at the nearby Walmart, was tapped to cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of the new Marshalls.

β€œWelcome to Marshalls,” Knight said.

In addition to the Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts handed out this morning, other Grand Opening activities and giveaways include hourly giveaways, free hot dogs and sodas, a visit from the Clemson cheerleaders this afternoon and a magician doing magic tricks and face-painting for kids today.

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