Grand-opening activities at the new ShopKo Stores Inc. store at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau will be held this weekend, but area consumers have already had an opportunity to see ShopKo merchandising strategy at work.

ShopKo opened last weekend and will remain open in what store officials describe as a "soft opening."

Customers visiting the new store this weekend will have a chance to win some big prizes during the grand opening, and some charitable organizations will be winners.

Here's what is happening Saturday:

-- ShopKo and Cape Girardeau city officials and chamber representatives will be on hand for an 8 .m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

-- The first 1,500 customers Saturday will receive a Twix candy bar with peel-and-win prize stickers. All of the candy bars have instant-win prizes ranging from a trip for two to some "Great American City" to 10 percent off ShopKo purchases up to $500.

-- Register-to-win contests will feature concert get-a-ways, a gold necklace, camping packages and Huffy bikes, and a chance to win a new Saturn coupe valued at more than $16,000.

-- And a "22-Day Saturn 3-door Coupe Giveaway" will get under way. Each day a person's name will be drawn and a key awarded. After 22 days, the 22 keyholders will gather to "try their key." The person with the key that starts the car will be the grand-prize winner and drive the car away.

During the ribbon-cutting event at 8 a.m. Saturday, three $1,000 checks will be presented -- to East Missouri Action Agency, Salvation Army, and Safe House for Women.

ShopKo contributes millions of dollars to charitable organizations in communities where ShopKo has stores.

ShopKo Stores Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., has 158 stores in 19 states. The Cape Girardeau store is one of 11 new markets opened recently. All 11 will celebrate grand openings Saturday, including one in Kentucky Oaks Mall at Paducah, Ky.

ShopKo Stores has been preparing for its opening here since last year. The store building, which was previously occupied by Venture Stores, has been completely remodeled and redecorated.

The opening marks the second new giant retailer in the Cape Girardeau County area within a week. The Jackson Wal-Mart Supercenter on East Jackson Boulevard opened last week.

Shopko will employ about 100 to 150 people with the majority from the local area. Jim DePaul, who joined ShopKo in August 1998, is the store team leader.

ShopKo Stores "will be a great addition here," said Jim Govro, West Park Mall manager. "The company will add to our one-stop shopping concept at the mall."

ShopKo provides a variety of products and services. It focuses on casual apparel, household items, family basics, leisure and seasonal products and health items, including in-store pharmacies and optical centers.