SOMERS, Wisc., June 23, 2009 – Kenosha County residents will find exceptional values on everyday essentials when the newly relocated Somers Sam’s Club officially celebrates its grand opening at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23. Conveniently located at 3300 Brumback Blvd., the relocated Somers Sam’s Club was specifically redesigned to improve the customer experience for Business, Advantage and Collegiate Sam’s Club Members who are seeking new ways to save time and money all under one roof. The Club manager along with community leaders and local dignitaries will celebrate its official grand re-opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 23 and announce $15,000 in community support.

“On behalf of the town administration of Somers, we welcome Sam's Club and congratulate them on their new location and added pharmacy,” said James Smith, Somers Town Chairman. “We are looking forward to their continued community commitment here in Southeast Wisconsin,” added Smith.

Expanded Club Designed to Improve Customer Experience
Formerly located at 6200 Regency West Drive, the Racine Sam’s Club began serving its shoppers and meeting the needs of the local community when it opened in 1992. The 3300 Brumback Blvd. location added a new fuel station with a car wash and a new pharmacy, providing members access to $4 and $10 generic prescriptions and a dedicated staff to offer personal assistance with heath care needs. The Somers Sam’s Club added 21,500-square-feet of merchandise to offer an enhanced selection of home furnishings, seasonal décor, expanded fresh foods and updated services like an interactive photo lab.

“Our new bright, updated interior is easier to navigate, so members can save time and money while browsing the wide aisles for office supplies, new home furnishings, and freshly prepared entrées. Carthage College and University of Wisconsin Parkside students can stock-up on the latest back-to-school supplies and electronics all in one stop,” says Lawrence. And to help members with their purchases, the Club has added a covered drive-up loading area at the front entrance.

Sam’s Club Provides Career Opportunities
In addition to saving Members money, the Somers Sam’s Club continues to benefit the area by employing more than 180-associates. Club Manager Lindahl started his career in 1991 as an hourly associate in Wheeling, Ill. After several positions at the Des Plaines, Ill. Sam’s Club, Lindahl was promoted to assistant manager in the Des Plaines store in 1997 and then to co-manager at the Sam’s Club in Rolling Meadows, Ill. He became manager in 2005 at the Matteson, Ill Sam’s Club. In 2007, Lindahl became the Racine Sam’s Club general manager.

“I started my Sam’s Club career as an hourly associate pushing carts 18 years ago, then working my way through the company to become a manager of this club for the last two years. I am an example of how you can build a great career with Sam’s Club,” Lindahl added.

Grand-Opening Ceremony to Feature Product Demonstrations, Family Fun
Local residents are invited to attend the official grand opening celebration that begins Thursday, July 23 at 8:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a special grant presentation. There will be vendor samples, face painting and character appearances.

Sam’s Club Celebrates Community Commitment
As part of Sam’s Club commitment to give back to the communities it serves, associates from the Somers Club have selected several local organizations to receive a total of $15,000 in grants, including a special $5,000 grant to the Shalom Center Food Bank. (For a full list of grant recipients see the Club Fact Sheet.)

Sam’s Club, while partnering with Feeding America, has continued to fight hunger in the area by making regular product donations to local food banks. Club locations across the nation regularly donate perishable food items to area hunger-relief agencies, helping fight hunger in their communities and reducing food waste. Last year, Sam’s Club donated more than 13 million pounds to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity.

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, 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 www.samsclub.com.

Club Fact Sheet
Somers, Wisc. Sam’s Club

Club Fast Facts

• Grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony and special presentation of $15,000 in community grants: Thursday, July 23, 8:30 a.m.
• Address: 3300 Brumback Blvd.
• Club hours:
  • Gold Key hours for Business Members – 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Mon. – Fri.; 7 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Sat.
  • All Memberships – 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri.; 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun.
• 138,537-square-foot Sam’s Club, an increase of 21,537 square feet.
• Racine Sam’s Club originally opened 1992
• The Club employs more than 180 associates.
• Club Manager Mike Lindahl started his career at the Wheeling, Ill warehouse club in 1991 as an hourly associate pushing carts. He was named general manager of the Racine Sam’s Club in 2007.

Merchandise Mix

• Available products include electronics; computer software; mattresses; outdoor living furniture; office products; appliances; restaurant and foodservice supplies; vending and concession supplies; health, beauty and medical supplies; apparel; fitness equipment; toys; flowers; gifts and awards.
• Luxury items include designer sunglasses and handbags, jewelry, gourmet foods, wine and crystal and collectibles.
• The Club offers a gas station, full liquor sales, a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab, tire and battery services, a bakery, a fresh floral department, and a café.
• Members also enjoy healthcare, business, financial and personal services such as health and medical discount programs, roadside assistance, travel services, auto buying program, 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 Membership options, visit any Sam’s Club location or samsclub.com.)

Community Contributions

• The Club will distribute $15,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations in celebration of its grand opening. Grant checks will be distributed to representatives of the charities at the grand opening. The recipients include:
  • Shalom Center
  • Walk in My Shoes Project
  • Somers Fire Department
  • Women & Children Horizons
  • Racine PTA Network
  • Halo
  • Health Care Network
  • Union Grove Food Bank

For more information
• Club Manager: Mike Lindahl, 262-554-2052
• Sam’s Club information online: www.samsclub.com

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