Ward Village Shops welcomed its newest store Thursday, discount retail giant T.J. Maxx.

It's been 16 years since T.J. Maxx has been in the islands and the 35,0000-sqare-foot building is the first of three opening on Oahu this May.

T.J. Maxx's grand opening pulled in hundreds of anxious shoppers, many curious to find out how far they could stretch their dollar.  Some shoppers came determined to meet set agendas.

"I'm looking for a rug, we just bought a brand new refrigerator," shopper Shelby Casupang said.

T.J. Maxx's trademark is selling affordable apparel at what it said is 20 to 60 percent off department store prices.  Executives said they know Hawaii customers are looking for bargains to offset the state's high cost of living.

"Nowadays consumers are looking for a great deal.  People are smarter, they're savvy.  That's what being a 'Maxxinista' is really all about -- smart savvy shopping," T.J. Maxx Executive Holly Taylor said.

The store offers designer label fashion at discounted prices and clothing and household items for the whole family.

Customers are encouraged to scoop up what they can because it may not be there the next time.

"We get 10,000 new pieces of merchandise every week, so that's three to four truckloads of fresh merchandise every week, so it's a very fun shopping experience," Taylor said.

T.J. Maxx is the first retailer to open at Ward Village Shops, and Ward Centers said it's not the last.