Community Turns Out to Celebrate Depot Outlet's Grand Reopening

Without your donation, some stories vanish. Support Decorah News. DECORAH — Deal-seekers and bargain hunters lined the sidewalks early Wednesday morning in the brisk autumn air, joining Depot Outlet staff, volunteers and members of the board of directors to celebrate the store's grand opening and the unveiling of its new expansion. Newcomers were greeted by smiling Depot employees and a live acoustic guitar performance of the store's theme song. Ambassadors from the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. Store Director Jessica O'Mara Kelly said the expansion allowed the entire store to be reconfigured, giving shoppers more room to move through the aisles. "We took the new [space] and got that to where we wanted it, and we had to take the old [space] and get that where we wanted it … the whole thing is redone," O'Mara Kelly said, adding that the staff were excited about every aspect of the redesign. O'Mara Kelly noted that while the extra space is convenient, staff are still processing donations from the old area. Once that work is complete, she said, handling new donations will be easier and faster. Staff also prepared new Christmas-themed displays for the holiday season. "[People] were expecting it on the first, the day after Halloween," O'Mara Kelly said. "But we waited a couple more days … let's schedule it so we can do it all at once." As an extra surprise for attendees, the store opened its doors five minutes early, letting the crowd begin shopping ahead of schedule. A full walkthrough tour of the new building space: Join the community of savvy subscribers (for free)! Get the latest updates, tips, and insider information by subscribing to the free newsletter today.