BJ’s to open 1st Tennessee club on June 14

BJ’s Wholesale Club is bringing its value-is-king model into Tennessee on June 14, the membership-based retailer announced on Thursday.

The new club will open in La Vergne, 20 miles southeast of downtown Nashville in Rutherford County, marking the club’s first location in Tennessee. Located at 543 Industrial Blvd., the new club marks the retailer’s 238th club and expanding the company’s footprint to its 19th state. The new location will have a BJ’s gas station, which will open this Friday.

“We can’t wait to open our doors to the La Vergne community at BJ’s brand-new club,” said Christopher Kelly, club manager of La Vergne’s BJ’s Wholesale Club, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this momentous occasion as BJ’s Wholesale Club expands into the state of Tennessee, bringing the unbeatable value and incredible savings to our newest members in Rutherford County. Our entire team is extremely proud to have this remarkable opportunity and impact the communities where we work and live in a positive way.”

Through June 15, the club is offering a founding member offer for local shoppers interested in joining. Local shoppers can sign up for a one-year BJ’s Inner Circle membership for $55. BJ’s said it is also offering local shoppers a one-year BJ’s Perks Rewards membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for $110.

The Marlborough, Massachusetts-based charitable foundation has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank and its Hunger Free Summer initiative, a program that raises awareness of hunger within the community and provides healthy meals to youth who are facing food insecurity as school cafeterias close for the summer months.

“We are grateful for the support from BJ’s Wholesale Club,” said Nancy Keil, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, in a statement. “As we enter the summer months, many children, who rely on schools for healthy and nutritious meals, may lose access to these services. Food insecurity is a real concern to children and families in Middle and West Tennessee, and the generosity of BJ’s Wholesale Club will help us feed thousands of children who otherwise would not receive essential meals this summer.”

BJ’s Wholesale Club is also partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee through its Feeding Communities program. The program is a year-round food rescue partnership where the company donates unsold food to Feeding America member food banks in its footprint, helping to provide wholesome food to local families in need.

Tennessee isn’t the only state on BJ’s radar for expansion. BJ’s is expanding into Alabama, with a new club in Madison, located 15 miles west of Huntsville.

“We are always striving to bring our BJ’s membership model to new markets and even more smart-saving families,” said Bill Werner, EVP of strategy and development, in a recent statement on the expansion into Alabama. “We have seen tremendous success with our newest openings. Our expansion into Tennessee and Alabama shortly thereafter is a great example of our efforts to meet the demand for the value, convenience and assortment that BJ’s has to offer its growing member base.”