EASLEY — With the checkout line spanning the length of the store, it’s official: Hamrick’s is open for business — and business is good.
“It has just been a mad house in here,” Patricia Tullock, Hamrick’s district manager, said during the grand opening celebration Monday. “We had people lining up outside before we even opened the doors. It’s been crazy.”
Dinah Hamrick, co-owner of the family owned company, was pleased with the turnout.
“We’re tickled to be here in Easley. We’ve wanted to open a location here for some time,” said Hamrick. “It was all about finding the right location. We knew we wanted something here on 123 (Calhoun Memorial Highway) and when we heard Kmart was leaving, we decided to jump on it.”
The sheer volume of people that turned up for the store’s grand opening took everyone involved a little aback.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Hamrick. “Easley has been very welcoming, and we’re just thrilled to be here.”
It was originally announced that Hamrick’s would be occupying half of the old space vacated by Kmart back in May. Construction crews raced to meet the deadline for the store’s mid-September grand opening.
The new Easley store is the 20th location for the Gaffney headquartered company, which first opened for business in 1945.
Hamrick’s locations offer name brand and high quality clothing, a shoe department and home accessory and gift departments. It also designs several of its own private labels including Nikki, Southern Lady, Links, Company Collection and N Touch.
The Hamrick’s company currently operates stores in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia as well as two nearby locations in Greenville, both of which will remain open.
No word yet as to what might be moving into the recently closed Bi-Lo location next door.
Barry Hamrick, president of the company, mingled throughout the store shaking hands and welcoming crowds of shoppers.
“I saw one lady leaving with six shopping bags, three on each arm,” Barry Hamrick said, laughing. “I thought, well, if this keeps up, we’re going to have a good day.”