On May 5, the long awaited TJ Maxx store in the Soundview Marketplace opened its doors. Word of the new store adding a location in Port Washington has circulated for about a year before construction began in January. The Soundview Marketplace has seen many new changes, including the addition of the new Target that opened last year.

TJ Maxx sells discounted clothing, shoes, and home goods, some of which come from designer brands. The chains are owned by The TJX Companies Inc., a Massachusetts company that also owns home decor chains, such as HomeSense and HomeGoods.

“Before I went to the store, I thought it was going to be disorganized and crammed, as many off-price super stores are. However the one in town is actually incredibly organized, which makes it so easy to see all that they have to offer,” said junior Priya Chainani.  “They have everything, from clothes, to shoes, to jewelry, stationary, luggage, and the list goes on and on.”

Off-price stores permit customers to buy top brands at bargain prices, and such stores regularly change their assortment of products, which gives customers a reason to visit frequently.

The new store is about 27,000 square feet, and opened in a renovated space that used to foster multiple storefronts. One store which was previously housed there is Ace Hardware, which was relocated within the shopping center several weeks ago.

At the grand opening, the TJ Maxx staff presented the Littig House Community Center with a $10,000 check. The non-profit organization has worked to provide educational opportunities, youth services and constructive leisure programs to Port Washington families for over 70 years.

“I went to the grand opening on that Sunday and was shocked to see the turnout. Everyone there seemed really excited to welcome the new TJ Maxx,” said sophomore Sophie Penson.  “It was really nice inside and I didn’t expect to see all that they had to sell.”

What seemed to surprise to most customers was the store’s reduced prices. In the beauty section, for example, TJ Maxx displays luxury brands, such as SK-2 and Shiseido which normally cost a large sum of money. However, at the store, they are sold at more than half off of their original prices. This makes all brands and items much more accessible to many who wish to buy them.

The customer service experience was also emphasized greatly as one of the store’s biggest goals. Since opening, TJ Maxx has hired more than 60 staff members who seek to ensure their customers the best service possible.