Kohl's Promises Growth to Local Economy | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Monday, September 28, 2009

Fresno, CA 70-people lined up outside Kohl's waiting to get in Sunday morning. Inside people with brand new jobs and discounts waited.

The sound of commerce is once again filling up the space Mervyns used to occupy at the Merced mall. Mervyns closed up shop in December last year...Now it's Kohl's.

Shopper Daniel Kazakos said: "It's nice to have a store this quality as here too as well. we're excited to shop here I love the men's clothes selection."

"Candies pajamas, some tank tops and some t-shirts," said Cynthia Zarate.

Zarate usually shops for her daycare center but Sunday's mission: shop for the family!

Zarate: "They have really really good deals on everything. Especially their cookware and everyday things that you need."

In a city where the unemployment is 16.6% Kohl's manager Irene Garcia-Munoz said the customer is the first priority.

"We offer great prices, national brands, private label brands, great associates, great customer service that's what we offer," said Garcia-Munoz.

The store has also created 127 jobs for local residents. Until this job came along Tom Lee was an unemployed student struggling to pay his bills. Now he's not as worried.

"Working a lot and school so I mean it's working pretty good and I'm paying my school fees so it's great, it's great," said Lee.

And it's also beneficial to residents like Erica Carr and her daughter Sage Irving who operate on a tight budget.

Carr: "We're just excited about the store opening and I got a couple coupons in the mail."

The store hosts its official grand opening Wednesday complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Nationwide Kohl's is opening 37 stores this Fall... Most of them are here in California at former Mervyn's stores.