More than 50 people lined up early Friday morning to be some of the first customers to get to shop at Suffolk’s newest retail outlet.

During a grand opening on Friday, Dick’s Sporting Goods welcomed a line of people that extended well beyond the length of the store in the Harbour View East shopping center.

The store had a soft opening on Wednesday, but the store manager and employees joined Mayor Linda T. Johnson on Friday for an official ribbon cutting.

“We are so proud to have you here,” Johnson said. “We value this relationship, and we want to make sure your stay in Suffolk is forever.”

Chesapeake residents Scott Butcher and Kip Bruinsma were the first in line for the grand opening. The men arrived at the store around 7 a.m., but Butcher said it was just luck that landed them at the front of the line.

“We just happened to wander up first,” he said.

Bruinsma said he is thrilled about the store opening because it is close to his job in the Harbour View area.

Butcher said he’s just happy he doesn’t have to drive to Newport News anymore.

“I think it’s good to have it on this side of the river,” he said.

In the center of the line, Bernadette Fraser, her daughter, Adriane, and her son, Christopher, came out to the grand opening before the children had to go to school.

Fraser, who lives in Western Branch, said both Adriane and Christopher play sports, and she is glad to have a store closer to home.

“We were waiting on them to open a sporting goods store,” she said.

After the ribbon cutting, people piled into the store and received free Adidas T-shirts.

Store manager Scott Davis said he was happy with the turnout at the grand opening and hopes more people will come out today and Sunday.

“We’re hoping for a big turnout every day,” he said. “We’re very excited to be in Suffolk.”

The first 100 customers 18 years or older today will receive a free pair of adult-sized Crocs, and from noon to 2 p.m., former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks will be at the store for an autograph signing.

Tomorrow, the first 100 customers will be given a mystery gift card for an amount ranging from $5 to $500, and Reebok T-shirts will be handed out while supplies last. Also, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor will sign autographs from noon to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.dickssportinggoodsonline.com/Grand_Open/Suffolk.