SOUTH POINT — Don Saunders was at the original grand opening of Sam’s Club in the Burlington/South Point location 20 years ago, and Thursday, he was there to celebrate a grand re-opening of the price club where he has worked as a store greeter for the past two decades.

Public officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives, members of the community and Sam’s Club employees celebrated the grand re-opening of the warehouse club with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, check presentations to area organizations and refreshments.

“We’re glad to update the building for your ease of shopping,” said Jim Batchelor, store manager since 1993. Some of the changes made to the store include revamping the fresh produce areas, the café, the meat department, bakery and restrooms. They also built a canopy to make loading items into the vehicle more convenient.

The store attempts to update every nine or 10 years, Batchelor said.

Sam’s Club employs around 180 people from the area.

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce director Bob Smith said it was a big day for the Lawrence County community.

“When you think of Lawrence County and you think of the Chamber of Commerce, you think of jobs, you think of business enterprise, you think of the economy, and Sam’s means so much to Lawrence County and the entire area as far as the economy is concerned,” Smith said.

South Point mayor Ron West also had kind words to say about Sam’s Club.

“Anything that improves the county improves South Point and I’m just glad Sam’s is here and they are willing to reinvest and create jobs,” West said.

Sam’s Club presented $500 checks to the Rome Township Fire Department, The Cause, Salvation Army and the Chesapeake Fire Department.

The ceremony ended with the ribbon cutting, and of course, the Sam’s Club cheer.