Bigger, greener Sam’s Club at Cortana announces grand opening

The relocated Sam’s Club at Cortana Mall will hold a grand opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, with the doors to open to members immediately following. The 134,000-square-foot club store is at the corner of Cortana Place and Airline Drive, approximately one mile south of the former location on Airline Highway the new store replaces. The real estate arm of Sam’s Club purchased the 4.75-acre tract of land in November 2010 for $1.55 million. Constructed with environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient fixtures, the club gained 18,000 square feet through its relocation. One of the ways the new Sam’s Club eliminates energy waste is with daylight-harvesting skylights that reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75% daily. Additionally, LED lighting throughout the store operates 70% more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. The store will feature a pharmacy—open to club members and the public—as well as an optical department and hearing center. The store will employ approximately 190, including 15 new positions created by the relocation.