Is camping out for a grocery store grand opening worth it in the metro Phoenix heat?
Some fans seemed to think so as they waited on Thursday, July 30, outside Arizona's first Seafood City store in Chandler. Hundreds of people stood in a long line partly covered in tents that stretched almost to the Harkins Theatre a few stores down.
Doors opened at 9 a.m. with performances, a DJ and photo ops happening in front of the store beforehand.
With a smile on her face, Irene Shields from Mesa was the first customer to step foot inside the new supermarket. She began waiting, or rather camping out, in line starting at 5 p.m. the day prior.
Every time Shields had gone to Seafood City before, it was either in Las Vegas or California, so she said she was excited
for a location to finally open up nearby.
"I wanted to make sure that I'm not going to miss this for the world, and we've been waiting for this for like 30 some years," she said.
Shields made sure to drink lots of water as she waited. She said she was most looking forward to having the lechon, or roasted pork belly, and halo-halo, the popular Filipino dessert with crushed ice, milk and toppings.
After Shields and other customers walked in, employees greeted them at the door with ringing bells and large grins.
But the fan turnout didn't stop there. The line of customers waiting to shop the new store was still long even as the afternoon heat set in.
President Matthew Go says the work doesn't stop here
Seafood City President Matthew Go said he was feeling very grateful on opening day.
"We came here because we wanted to serve the community and let them experience a place where food can bring everyone together, and we're really happy about the patronage, and we hope that we deliver, and we hope you guys enjoy it," Go said.
He said he enjoyed seeing people eat the barbecue despite it being 9 a.m. People immediately got into line for Grill City, the popular Filipino BBQ that has sold 35 million skewers across North America.
Go said the staff had been prepping for the grand opening since 5 a.m. that morning. Though everything was ready last night they wanted to make sure everything was double, triple checked. Go said they were "crossing our T's, dotting our I's."
"They're always happy here actually," he said about the staff. "I think that's what I really like about this team we have."
Now that the store is open, Go said that the work doesn't stop, they're going to continue developing to what the Chandler market needs, continue training their employees to get better and better service, watch their product selection and be involved with the community.
They also still have the crab market in the store which has yet to open, Go said it will be ready in a couple months.
He added that they are always open to feedback and want to hear ways they can improve from the customers.
Do you have a tip or a question you need answered? Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Instagram @dina_kaur.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Seafood City opens in Arizona. Why fans camped out to be 1st in line
