Quincy Native Andy Blaesing Named Club Manager

QUINCY, Ill., Oct. 13, 2008 – The highly-anticipated Quincy Sam’s Club opens under the management of Quincy native Andy Blaesing in late October. The new Club will provide Business, Advantage and Collegiate Members exceptional value on merchandise and services while bringing economic and community support to the local area. Located at 700 N. 54th St., Sam’s Club has created 150 new jobs in Quincy, is announcing $19,000 in initial grant donations to local organizations and is providing significant tax revenue to the area. The Quincy Sam’s Club will celebrate its official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 9:45 a.m. The Club Manager along with Quincy Mayor John Spring, community leaders and local dignitaries will share how the new Club impacts the Tri-State area.

Management Team Shares Quincy Connection
The new Club will be managed by Quincy native Andy Blaesing, who is returning to Quincy with his family to manage the Club’s 150 associates. “I started my Walmart career in St. Louis and had the opportunity to advance my career with Walmart and Sam’s Club and was promoted to business manager and then co-manager positions.” said Blaesing. “To be able to open and manage this Club in my hometown and offer Quincy residents opportunities to earn a good wages with great benefits right here is rewarding.” added Blaesing.

Born and raised in Quincy and a graduate of Quincy University, Club Manager Andy Blaesing has held numerous positions during his 20-year Walmart and Sam’s Club career. Assistant Managers Penny Lock and Brian Deeds are also native Quincians and are returning home to help manage the Club. Four of the Quincy Sam’s Club managers have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years.

Quincy Sam’s Club: Exceptional Value For Business, Home and Life
The new 135,000 square-foot Quincy Sam’s Club offers members a treasure-hunt shopping experience complete with an extensive inventory of more than 4,000 affordable essential and luxury items. Sam’s Club Membership provides superior access to merchandise and services for the business owner, homeowner or college student seeking the best value all under one roof.

Blaesing said the new Quincy Sam’s Club will provide the Tri-State Members with a unique shopping experience. “As a native Quincian, this is a wonderful opportunity to help bring value, selection and services to Members in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri that they haven’t had before while providing my hometown with an economic boost with tax revenue and good jobs.”

The Quincy Sam’s Club offerings include a Tire and Battery department; a one-hour, digital photo center; a bakery complete with custom birthday cakes and artisan breads and desserts; a café featuring pizza, chicken wraps, sodas, soft-serve yogurt and ice cream; a pharmacy with $4 and $9 prescriptions, as well as great values on branded prescriptions; a floral section; a complete liquor and fine wine department; meal replacement solutions; high-end, brand name electronics; upscale jewelry; choice meats; home goods; exercise equipment; small appliances; home furnishings and designer handbags among others. To continually meet the needs of Members, the Quincy Sam’s Club will also feature seasonal items in various departments, from holiday décor, apparel and gifts to outdoor play equipment and patio furniture to health and wellness services.

Small business owners and operators will also have access to additional services to help increase productivity and profitability including health insurance solutions, merchant and credit card processing and marketing solutions and numerous other benefits for their business provided by third party vendors.

With a valid college ID and collegiate email address, students can obtain a year-long Sam’s Club Collegiate Membership for $40 and receive a $15 gift card to help offset the cost of their first purchase. Sam’s Club offers the ideal solution for Collegiate Members as they combat high tuition costs with the essentials. From compact refrigerators to bedding to laptops, Sam’s Club has what Tri-State university and college students need with values that are sure to help them get the top grade in comfort, nutrition, organization, technology and entertainment.

Sam’s Club Celebrates Community Commitment
As part of Sam’s Club commitment to give back to the communities it serves, associates from the Quincy Club have selected several local organizations to receive a total of $19,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation. A special $5,000 grant will be given to the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Salvation Army Major Alan Wurtz says the donation is needed. "This grant comes at a perfect time as donations have fallen short and the demand for services is on the rise because of the economic situation. This grant will help people in Quincy and the greater Quincy area by providing nutritious meals through our family services offices.” said Wurtz. “Over 125 families a month seek assistance from the Salvation Army for food alone. This grant will helps us to continue to meet the needs in our community as well as through The Salvation Army emergency shelter which provides a community meal to those who are hungry. We appreciate the generosity of Sam’s Club and look forward to partnering with them in the future.” added Wurtz.

A special check presentation will be held during Community Day on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 9:45 a.m. (Editor’s Note: A complete list of grants is on page 3 of this release.)

“We are proud to be a community partner, and these grants are our way to show that we are committed to this community and to helping organizations that make a difference everyday,” said Blaesing.

Grand Opening Activities
A special Business Member preview and shopping event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. Local residents are invited to attend the official grand opening celebration on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 9:45 a.m., which will include the presentation of colors by the St. Francis Boy Scout Troop. Janet Stuckman will sing the national anthem, and the ribbon will officially be cut. (Editor’s note: A complete list of Grand Opening activities is on page 4).

About Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide and in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam’s Club offers exceptional values on merchandise and services for business owners and consumers. Online merchandise and Club information is available at samsclub.com.

EDITOR’S NOTES
• Community Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 9:45 a.m. Community grants will be presented at 10 a.m., followed by a brief tour of the new facility. Reporters and photographers are encouraged to attend.
• A preview event is scheduled for Business Members on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 a.m. until noon.
• Club Manager Andy Blaesing can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at 217-222-6682.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Sam’s Club should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.

FACT SHEET
Quincy Sam’s Club

Club Fast Facts

• Grand opening: Thursday, Oct. 23, 9:45 a.m.
• Business Preview: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 a.m. until noon (for Business Members only)
• Community Day: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 9:45 a.m. Reporters and photographers are invited to attend.
• Address: 700 N. 54th St., Quincy,Ill
• Club hours:
  • Gold Key hours for Business Memberships: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mon. – Fri.; 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sat.
  • All Memberships: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri.; 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.
• 135,000 square foot Sam’s Club
• The Club will employ approximately 150 associates
• Club Manager: Quincy-native Andy Blaesing

Merchandise Mix

• Available products include electronics; computer software; mattresses; rotisserie chicken; fresh meats; outdoor living furniture; office products; appliances; restaurant and foodservice supplies, vending and concession supplies, health, beauty and medical supplies; apparel; holiday décor; fitness equipment; toys; and flowers, gifts and awards.
• Luxury items include designer handbags, jewelry, gourmet and organic foods, wine, crystal and collectibles.
• The Club offers a fuel station, a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab, tire and battery services, a bakery, a fresh floral department, an optical center and a café.
• Members also enjoy healthcare, business, financial and personal services such as health and medical discount programs, roadside assistance, travel services, auto, boat and RV programs and cost effective merchant credit card processing solutions provided by third-party vendors.

Membership Options

• Advantage Membership - $40
• Business Membership - $35
• Advantage PLUS Membership - $100
• Business PLUS Membership - $100
• Collegiate Membership - $40, includes a $15 gift card and complimentary Membership

Editor’s Note: For more detailed information on the Membership options, visit a Sam’s Club location or samsclub.com.

Charitable Giving
$19,000 in total charitable contributions to local area organizations including:

• Camp Callahan
• Girls Scouts of Central Illinois
• Quincy Housing Authority
• Quincy Fire Department, Quincy Police Department
• Redmon and Lee Community Center
• Salvation Army
• St. Francis Boy Scouts
• West Central Illinois Nutrition Project
• West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living

For More Information

• Store Manager: Andy Blaesing, 217-222-6682
• Sam’s Club information and merchandise online: www.samsclub.com

Grand Opening Events
Quincy Sam’s Club

Celebrity and Special Guest Appearances

• Oct. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Chicago Bears’ legend, Keith Van Horne, is scheduled to appear for autographs and photos.

Member Activities

• Oct. 25 – Oct. 26: Wingfest, provides tips and ideas to help Members plan their ultimate football parties

Special Product Assortment

• Oct 23-26, Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, Nov. 6-9: Sony Store-in-a-Club staffed with Sony trained personnel and includes additional items

- # # # -