Sam's Club Now Open in Easley

Easley's newest business officially opened its doors Thursday morning.

Sam's Club celebrated its grand opening Thursday and a large crowd was waiting to take advantage of all the bargains.

“We look forward to serving you guys,” said club manager Brandon Cox. “We've been able to provide 183 jobs in this community, which is absolutely fantastic.”

The store is committed to hiring veterans, Cox said.

“180 jobs sounds awful good, in light of what's going on in this country,” Mayor Larry Bagwell said. “We're on the upswing and things like this are what's making it happening.”

Easley's Partners in Pride program enlists organizations “to invest in beautifying our city,” Bagwell said.

“Sam's has contributed $40,000 to do an island right out there on Highway 123,” he said. “These are the kind of people that Sam's Club represents. We are proud to have them in Easley.”

Easley Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Hopkins said the grand opening represents the day when Sam's Club officially becomes part of Easley, but that the store has been a part of the community “for many, many months, from the day that they found out they were coming to Easley.”

The chamber's focus is on creating a healthy economic environment, “but also promoting the concept that we all need to buy locally,” Hopkins said.

In addition to its bulk savings, the store also features items from regional and statewide businesses in its showcase displays, including honey from the Bee Well Honey Store in Pickens, Mother Shucker's sauce from Columbia and Charleston-area coffee.

“As of today, their capital investment in Easley is about $22 million,” Hopkins said. “That's phenomenal. Job creation – their original goal was 175 employees. As of today, 183 employees are on staff. Hopefully they'll continue to grow that number.”

Yesterday, Sam's Club presented donations to area organizations.

“As of opening today, community reinvestment is already at $70,000,” Hopkins said. “We commend them coming into this community so far.”

The store gives businesses and residents an opportunity to “keep those dollars here in Easley, to make our economy thrive,” Hopkins said.

The community's support allows Sam's Club to grow and continue to reinvest into the community.

“It's a good cycle and it's certainly a win-win, not only for Sam's, but for our community and the city of Easley,” she said.

Hopkins presented Cox with the store's first dollar of profit.

The new store is 138,000 square feet, which is “big enough to fit the Easley football stadium inside of and still have room,” Cox said. “I think you guys are going to love it.”

The store features a gas station, a pharmacy, optical and hearing centers and a tire and battery center.

“Anything you'd like to do, Sam's Club is your place to shop,” Cox said.

Cox himself knows that Sam's Club offers its associates a lot of opportunity to move up.

“I started with Sam's Club nine years ago, pushing carts and cashiering,” he said. “So it just shows you can do whatever you want with this company. It's a fantastic company.”