Ross Dress For Less officially opens with local donation

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

Ross Dress For Less, one of the largest stores in the newest phase of the Five Hills Shopping Center, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday morning by immediately giving back to a local community organization. 
Tray Cooper, district manager for the company, was on hand to help present a check from the Ross Foundation for $2,500 to the Copperas Cove Boys & Girls Club of Copperas Cove Junior High School.
Students from the Boys & Girls Club were those who cut the ribbon on Saturday morning to officially open the store for business. 
The Copperas Cove Ross Dress For Less had a “soft” opening on Friday for its approximately 64 employees to get their feet wet with the stream of local shoppers checking out the deals in the 25,000-square-foot store. 
Cooper, who’s been with the company for around three years, said the company was working to open a store in Copperas Cove when he first came on board with the company.
“We’re excited to be here in Copperas Cove and glad that we’re finally open,” Cooper said. 
One thing he remarked about the area was the friendliness of the people. 
“We’ve been here for a while now, preparing for the opening, and people have been stopping by, asking about the store. They’ve been extremely welcoming here.” 
The sentiment was echoed by Kayla Gray, manager of the Copperas Cove store.
“We treated our employees yesterday with some party trays from H-E-B, and everyone here has been very friendly,” Gray said. 
Gray has been with the company for seven years, she said, starting as a part-time employee. 
“One of the things I love about the company is how people-dynamic we are,” Gray said. “We really care about people.” 
On Saturday, in addition to trying to grab some buys, shoppers had the chance to put their names in for a drawing for a $500 grand prize shopping spree or one of five second place prizes, $100 shopping sprees. Entries will be accepted at the store through Wednesday, October 18, with no purchase necessary to enter.
Having the local Boys & Girls Club participate in Saturday’s grand opening is part of the tradition of Ross stores. 
According to the company’s website, Ross has had a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than a decade. 
During the 2015-2016 school year, the company adopted more than 38 Boys & Girls Club organizations, representing 100 Club Houses. They have also offered scholarships to graduating seniors from the adopted clubs since 2013.