In front of many eager customers, Costco’s “biggest fan,” David Hitzel, cut the ribbon at the store’s grand opening early this morning. David, a Lawrence High School senior, was joined by Costco executives, Lawrence Township’s Manager Richard Krawczun, Mayor David Maffei, and Councilmen Christopher Bobbit and Jim Kownacki.
“Hopefully he’s going to work here someday,” said David’s mother.
David lives with autism and has been following the building’s progress over the past year, posting pictures weekly to his Facebook page.
“He knows a lot about the company. (Coincidentally,) one of his hockey coaches works for Costco. They were talking about the store opening and his store membership,” she continued. “The coach reached out to management and asked if David could have a tour and see what it’s all about. He did that last Saturday. They’ve all been wonderful with him.”
By 7:35 a.m. customers filed into the store to begin their shopping. Vikas Kohli, Lawrence Township resident and loyal Costco shopper, has been shopping at the chain since coming to the country 17 years ago. He used to shop at the Edison location where he lived previously, but when he moved to Lawrence Township he said, “I prayed to God that Costco would open here and they pretty much opened in my backyard!”
The Lawrence Township Costco is located at 4100 Quakerbridge Road, a short distance from Route 1, near the Quakerbridge Mall.
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