Retailer Gabe’s has officially opened its doors in the old Kmart building at Chesapeake Square.

“We are happy to be in the Chesapeake community,” store general manager Orlando Hernandez told scores of shoppers lined up for grand-opening bargains early Saturday morning, before joining Gabriel Brothers’ district director Katherine Thompson in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We want everyone to know this will be your neighborhood store. We have amazing prices and great fashions.”

After a soft opening Thursday, it was one of five Gabe’s grand openings on the East Coast on Saturday, said Mike Cain, the company’s vice president of stores.

The other events were in Richmond plus Lancaster, Pa.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Charlotte, N.C.

“We are growing our store base,” Cain said.

It’s the first Gabe’s in Hampton Roads. Gabe’s and its sister store, Rugged Wearhouse, each have several locations elsewhere in Virginia.

A hiring event for the Chesapeake Square store was held last month. Cain said the store has about 175 full- and part-time employees, which Gabriel Brothers refers to as crew members. “We have a huge staff of management people,” Cain added.

In its first three days of operation, business at the new store was “extremely positive,” Cain said.

Gabe’s is billed as selling famous brands at up to 70 percent of department and specialty store prices. It sells brand-name clothing, footwear, accessories, bath and beauty products, housewares, small electronics and snack foods.