SEQUIM — At times, it felt — and sounded — more like a pep rally than a retail store’s grand opening.
But for the hundreds of stockers, cashiers, sales associates, managers and corporate representatives from Wal-Mart, celebrating the first day of business on Wednesday with choreographed chants wasn’t just fun.
It was a hard-earned expression of relief and excitement.
“What a beautiful store, huh?” asked Tom Etchells, district manager for Wal-Mart’s Olympic Peninsula region.
It was a rhetorical question which drew immediate applause from company associates, Sequim-area dignitaries, representatives from local businesses and hundreds of curious and eager shoppers who awoke early to attend the new store’s morning ceremony.
Two of those shoppers drove all the way from Jefferson County to witness the 7:30 event, knowing they’d have to be back for work by 9.
“We are Wal-Mart people,” said Marsha O’Brien, who came with her husband, Ed.
The O’Briens — who sometimes drive to Silverdale for shopping and dining — said they won’t hesitate to aim for Sequim if Wal-Mart is their sole destination.
Mayor hails store
Corporate officials from the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer are counting on more O’Briens to help their sizable investment in West Washington Street store pay off.
The addition of Wal-Mart to Sequim is a boon to the local economy, Mayor Walt Schubert told the crowd gathered around a podium set up especially for the grand opening.
“The City Council and staff have done our part to create the fertile ground and send the message that we want new business to come to Sequim, and be successful along with our existing business,” Schubert said.