Rouses Market grand opening in Gulf Shores draws large crowd (photos)

Customers check out at Rouses Market during the grand opening for its newest location along Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. (Brian Kelly/bkelly@al.com)

, Alabama -- I stopped counting somewhere around 20 or 25. No matter the exact number (I was too busy snapping images) but that was about the number of times someone greeted me with, "Welcome to Rouses!" with beaming smiles during

Rouses Market's

first day of doing business about one mile from Alabama's beach.

The business currently employees nearly 200 people and will continue to hire into the spring break season said Tim Acosta, marketing director.

Today's grand opening (at 1545 Gulf Shores Pkwy., formerly known as Bruno's Shopping Center) marks the fifth store opening since Feb. 9 in the Alabama market. The day also came with it heavy rain but plenty of curious customers, the majority of whom were snowbirds like Margie Fletcher of Illinois who was looking for good deals on day one.

"They definitely have some steals today," Fletcher said. "It's really nice in here and everyone is so friendly. It's refreshing."

She was one of hundreds of people who could be found milling up and down the aisles, checking prices. Still other patrons managed to fill entire shopping carts with goods.

"I usually go to a nearby large supermarket but I figured it would be good to help them (Rouses) out right away on the first day," said one customer.

Snowbird Julius Hill exited empty handed but he was highly impressed with the store he'll patronize three months out of the year.

"We come every year January to March, and we'll do our shopping here. It's very clean and in a great location," Hill said.