THOUSANDS CROWD TARGET'S GRAND OPENING IN CAPE

Shoppers hurried into the new Target store in streams before the rain fell in sheets Sunday afternoon.

The discount store at 202 Siemers Drive held its official grand opening Sunday. About 400 people were standing in line when the doors opened at 8 a.m., said Doug Rowe, store team leader. He expected about 4,000 people to visit the store.

Shoppers came from all over to see the merchandise, the new store and meet celebrities like Barbie and actress Kassie Wesley, who signed autographs throughout the afternoon.

Gayla Crabtree, promotions coordinator for Mattel Toys, said she searched for a Barbie look-alike. She found one in Scott City.

Dana Adams, dressed as Barbie, signed autographs and posed with children during the festivities.

"Some of the kids have been afraid to pose with her," Crabtree said. "I think they are in awe of her."

Jessica Green of Bell City wanted a picture of Barbie. The 7-year-old said she has too many Barbie dolls to count, but Skipper is her favorite.

She plans to hang her autographed poster of Barbie in her room.

Four-year-old Carrie Brown, and her sister Katie, who's 7, also came to Target to see Barbie. They each left the store with a new doll and some school supplies, said their mother, Melissa Brown of Jackson.

There was plenty of entertainment for shoppers on Sunday, with clowns, face painters and a country/western band performing. Actress Kassie Wesley, who plays Blair Daimler Buchanan on the ABC daytime soap opera "One Life to Live," also signed autographs.

With the opening of the store in Cape Girardeau, there are now nine Target stores in Missouri. About 150 people are employed at the Cape Girardeau store.

Target Stores, a division of Dayton Hudson Corp., operates 645 stores in 32 states. Shopping hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.