Shoppers lined up around the corner as HomeSense held its grand opening in Vernon on Tuesday morning.
It was a warm welcoming by those who showed up early to be among the first to browse the aisles when the doors finally opened at 9 a.m.
Staff said a long shower of applause welcomed the home decor retailer to the city.
By noon the aisles of the store — and the parking lot outside — were packed, with a steady stream of people still flowing in.
“We are thrilled to have opened our first HomeSense store in Vernon,” says Tamara Robbins Griffith, HomeSense Spokesperson. “Beyond the excitement of opening day, local Vernon residents can expect new items arriving in-store daily.”
The furniture and home decor retailer is owned by TJX Canada and affiliated with Winners, which has a location in the Village Green Mall.
“Our Vernon neighbours have embraced shopping the home décor aisle in our existing WINNERS store in the city,” said Griffith.
The 18,000 square-foot store sits at 5700 24 St., across from Value Village in the north end shopping centre.
The store’s hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
HomeSense has more than 120 locations across Canada, including a store in West Kelowna that opened on April 9.
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