T.J. Maxx to open Thursday in Hilo

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HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Tradesmen continue work on the outdoor entrance to T.J. Maxx Tuesday at Prince Kuhio Plaza.
HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald A shopper walks past the entrance to T.J. Maxx on Tuesday in Prince Kuhio Plaza. The discount department store will open Thursday.
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T.J. Maxx, one of the nation’s leading discount retailers, will open its first Big Island store Thursday in Hilo.

The new store is approximately 25,000 square feet and located in the Prince Kuhio Plaza in the space formerly occupied by Sports Authority. T.J. Maxx will share the building with Petco, which tentatively plans to open in April.

T.J. Maxx will employ approximately 60 people in full- and part-time jobs, the company said in a news release.

“Our newest store in Hilo will offer an ever-changing selection of high-quality, on-trend and brand-name merchandise at the amazing prices that T.J. Maxx is known for. Our buyers search the globe to discover the best in every department, and we’re excited to bring those finds to a new neighborhood,” said Tim Miner, president of T.J. Maxx, in a written statement.

Grand opening hours are 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday. Reusable bags will be given to the first 500 customers.

Regular store hours will be 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.

In celebration of its new Hilo location, T.J. Maxx will present a $10,000 donation to HOPE Services Hawaii during a blessing ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

The new store also will join all other stores nationwide in sponsoring Save the Children’s U.S. Programs. T.J. Maxx supports Save the Children, Autism Speaks and Joslin Diabetes Center with annual in-store fundraising campaigns.

T.J. Maxx opened its first store in 1977 and operates more than 1,200 stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico. It has four locations on Oahu and one on Maui.