Sam's Club celebrates remodeling, 22 years in Ocala

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 4:06 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

Several hundred customers, employees and guests gathered Friday at Sam's Club for a grand re-opening ceremony.

The occasion highlighted a six-month store remodeling project and 22 years of doing business in the community.

The 135,000-square-foot membership club outlet, which had its grand opening on Nov. 21, 1991, underwent an overhaul that included major upgrades to the fresh food and produce areas.

The store, open to the public but originally geared with "bulk" packaging toward small businesses, currently employs 216, said store manager Daniel Philipsen.

At least 26 employees of the original opening crew are still working there, according to a press release from a Sam's Club representative.

Ocala Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership President and CEO Kevin Sheilley praised the outlet, a division of Wal-Mart and named after founder Sam Walton, as a "great place" for employees and part of the retail giant which, when all local stores are considered together, is the "biggest private employer in the county."

Al Dunlap, 76, and his wife, Judy, were the first customers to enter the store following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. Al Dunlap thanked the Sam's Club staff for years of service with a wide array of well-displayed products from food to office products.

"I've been coming here for about 10 years. They run a first-class organization," said Dunlap, 76, a West Point graduate, former CEO of several companies and local philanthropist.

Philipsen discussed some highlights of existing and new offering at the store.

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Sam's Club celebrates remodeling, 22 years in Ocala