New stores Petco, Marshalls opening at Mullins Crossing

The Petco pet store is the newest shop to open in the still-growing Mullins Crossing Shopping Center, and the doors to a Marshalls department store next door will open to the public Thursday.

Petco opened Sunday, and with Marshalls joins the Mullins Crossing shopping center along with already-open tenants including Target, Kohl's and Babies R Us.

The shopping center, where stores began opening in October, also includes restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, Panera Bread and Great Wraps.

Marshalls will begin allowing shoppers through the doors at its grand opening at 8 a.m. Thursday, store manager Amy Schultz said.

Based on interest in the store so far, Schultz said, she expects a large turnout of customers.

"We've had people coming up to the door for two weeks now while we've been setting up,'' she said. "So, everybody wants us to open.''

The Evans Marshalls will be the store's only location in the area after the closing of a Marshalls in Augusta. The department store sells clothing, shoes and home accessories.

Schultz said the Evans location is stocked and ready for business. Its normal operating hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

To contact Marshalls, call (706) 863-7144.

Although Petco is already open, the store will hold grand opening festivities on April 28. The store's hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

To contact Petco, call (706) 869-0737.