Nancy Hilchey was the first in line for the opening of the new Amazon Fresh store in Poway at 8 a.m. Thursday.

“I’ve been waiting two years for this to open,” said Hilchey, who arrived at 4 a.m. with her sister, Susie Johnson of La Mesa. “I live down the street so this is very convenient. I’m looking forward to the store’s fresh and healthy groceries, and I think it will have good deals.”

She received a $100 Amazon gift card and bouquet of flowers from store officials for being the Poway stores first customer.

The line for the opening of the Amazon Fresh in Poway snaked around the the store. (Criselda Yee)

The four people in line are the closest and farthest attendees: From left, Scott Wood (he actually arrived at 1 a.m. but stayed in his car); Jean Samaniego, who came from Oceanside, arrived at 5:15 a.m.; Suzette Lewis arrived at 5:15 a.m. from Vista; and Eric Olaes, who arrived at 5:13 a.m. lives two blocks away. He walked. (Criselda Yee)

Store Manager Mo Alhayti invited Nancy Hilchy (first in line) to to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They held the scissors together. (Criselda Yee)

Left to Right: San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson presented a proclamation to Amazon Fresh Store Manager Mo Alhayti. Poway City Councilmember Brian Pepin made the opening remarks, welcoming the crowd and congratulating the management and staff of Amazon Fresh. (Criselda Yee)

After a two-year delay, the crowds were eager to experience the Amazon Fresh shopping experience. (Criselda Yee)

The Amazon Fresh crew cheered and applauded the shoppers as they entered. Left to Right: Jennifer Hayes, Franklin Johnson, Angelo Bisso, Steve Blessing and Amaey Konker. (Criselda Yee)

Yen Nguyen is all smiles as she begins her exploring/shopping. (Criselda Yee)

Left to Right: The Amazon Fresh Dancing Banana, Speedy Lynch (in cart), Kathreen Lynch (mom) and Patty Medina (Amazon Promotions Team member). (Criselda Yee)

The Amazon Dancing Banana greeted Diana and Michael Silberhorn. (Criselda Yee)

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The line for the opening of the Amazon Fresh in Poway snaked around the the store. (Criselda Yee)

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The line for the opening wrapped around the grocery store at 14837 Pomerado Road in the Twin Peaks Plaza shopping center near Target. The store has been ready for occupancy since early 2022.

The 44,500-square-foot store is the first Amazon Fresh store in San Diego County. Customers can expect to find national brands, produce, meat and seafood items, prepared foods, grab & go sandwiches, salads, wraps and snack boxes in addition to Amazon’s private-label brands like Aplenty, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Saver and 365 by Whole Foods Market.

Annette and Steve Sultan checking out the colorful vegetables in the produce section. (Criselda Yee)

Vong Phimmasane checked out the sales flyer while her husband shopped. (Criselda Yee)

Hot pizzas were ready to go! (Criselda Yee)

Left to Right: Daryl Carpenter, an Amazon associate who has assisted with past grand openings, was comparing the different scanning systems with Michael Yee. (Criselda Yee)

Shoppers in the expansive aisles. (Criselda Yee)

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Annette and Steve Sultan checking out the colorful vegetables in the produce section. (Criselda Yee)

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During a ribbon-cutting ceremony store Manager Mo Alhayti welcomed the large crowd.

“Thank you for your support – we are here for you,” said Alhayti, who has 15 years of experience as a store manager and district manager at Walmart in the Southern California region. “Have fun and enjoy the shopping experience.”

County Supervisor Joel Anderson also greeted the shoppers by announcing Amazon Fresh is donating $10,000 to Feeding San Diego. The donation will support the nonprofit organization’s food rescue program by providing 20,000 meals to people facing hunger, said a Feeding San Diego representative Kate Garrett.

Amazon Fresh in Poway will also continue to donate food to Feeding San Diego on a weekly basis, said Amazon spokesman Griffin Buch.

Poway City Councilman Brian Pepin joined officials at the opening-day ceremony where he said he was impressed by the large crowd.

“I’m excited that the first Amazon Fresh in San Diego County is right here in City Council District 1,” Pepin said. “I’m also glad to hear that they’re employing local Poway residents.”

He said he plans to shop at the store “all the time.”

Poway City Councilman Brian Pepin and his wife, Kim, celebrated the Amazon Fresh opening in City Council District 1. (Julie Gallant)

Douglas Robinson said he likes having options for shopping at another store besides Albertsons and Vons. The Rancho Bernardo resident said he was curious about the store that he had seen was empty for a couple of years.

“I’m retired and I’m a coupon cutter so that’s why I’m here,” he said.

Rancho Bernardo resident Douglas Robinson was in line early to shop at Amazon Fresh in Poway on opening day. (Julie Gallant)

Beatrice Thomas said she came from Rancho Penasquitos to see what the opening was all about after she received an Amazon Fresh flyer in the mail. Thomas said she arrived at 5:30 a.m. to shop for groceries and see if the store has better deals than its competitors.

Rancho Penasquitos resident Beatrice Thomas was looking to compare Amazon Fresh to other stores during its first day in business. (Julie Gallant)

The first Amazon Fresh store opened in the Woodland Hills community of Los Angeles in 2020. Other Amazon Fresh stores continued to open in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York and New Jersey. Currently there are more than 50 Amazon Fresh stores open throughout the United States, according to the company.

Deron Thompson, regional manager of Amazon Fresh, said the new store offers a wide selection of national brands, high-quality produce and fresh-prepared meals. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

“We’re thrilled to open our newest Amazon fresh grocery store right here in the heart of Poway,” Thompson said. “This opening invites customers in Greater San Diego to experience grocery shopping with Amazon Fresh, both in-store and online.”