Sam’s Club Fans Camp Out Before Opening
FairCityNews.com | Jul 27, 2009 | Comments 0
Springfield, MO—Opening weekend for the latest “Sam’s Club” sequel has become the Ozarks’ biggest ever grocery box office smash by earning $79 million, a publicist for the grocery chain said today. Nearly two weeks before the opening of the membership-only retail warehouse clubs, campers armed with tents, couches and video games turned the pavement at the S. Campbell location into the place to wait for their turn to witness the grand opening firsthand.
“Sam’s Club: Southside” surpassed the 11-year-old record of $59.5 million domestically set by “Price Cutter: Plus,” store manager Jordan Adkins told The Associated Press. “Price Cutter Plus” made about $43 million in 1998, the year it was released down the street from “Price Cutter: Republic Road”.
“My husband is like ‘Sam’s is open! We gotta go!’ I said you want to fight the crowd? He said he wanted to be one of the ones that are here!” said Jilly Miller.
“I was excited there’s one on the south side so I don’t have to go all the way to the north side, or the west side to get to the other store,” said Kim Parker.
That’s part of Sam’s Club’s plan. Finishing the trilogy of stores in the area has allowed access to fans from Nixa, Ozark and even Branson.
“This is so strategic, and awesome. We had people camping out, dressing as Sam Walton and having a great time while waiting for the doors to open,” said Adkins.
The store is located on South Campbell Ave. in Springfield, south of highway 60.
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