Roseville police spent the morning patrolling a new discount store in the city after roughly 200 people - lured by the possibility of virtually free gas - showed up for its grand opening, including some who had camped there overnight.
To its first 98 customers today, Wise Buys, 1159 Roseville Square, offered $98 gas cards for only $9.98, the store's maximum price for any merchandise.
Manager Edgar Najera said customers started camping in front of the store as early as 2 p.m. Wednesday to be among the first 98 in when the store opened its doors at 8 a.m.
Police were called to the store about 4:40 a.m. because a man was urinating on the side of the building, according to spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther. Officers returned at 5:21 just to check on the situation, she said.
Shortly before 7 a.m., the store's security staff called police for extra patrols because there were at least 200 people waiting to get inside. Officers responded and stayed until about 8:30 a.m, Gunther said.
No one was arrested.
Wise Buys is a 42,000-square-foot store selling clothing, food, books, stationery, shoes, toys and other items, all for $9.98 or less.
Owned by 98 Cents Clearance Center founder Gary Cino, the Roseville Wise Buys is the first of roughly a dozen planned for the Sacramento region, according to Najera.
"We want to be the cheapest price in town," Najera said.
Call The Bee's Jennifer K. Morita, (916) 773-7388.
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