AUSTINTOWN  Grocery Outlet will open its new Austintown location next Thursday, Oct. 16, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community events.

The store, independently owned and operated by Eric and Sarah Senges at 6000 Mahoning Avenue in the Austintown Plaza, will begin its opening day festivities at 8 a.m. The first 100 customers will receive a gift card with a value ranging from $5 to $500.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 10 a.m. and will include community leaders and the Senges, who also operate the Boardman Grocery Outlet. During the event, the operators plan to donate $1,000 to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

Customers can enter a drawing to win $1,000 in free groceries between Oct. 16 and Nov. 14. Shoppers will also receive a free reusable bag with any purchase throughout the opening week, while supplies last. Those who register for the Grocery Outlet app and select Austintown as their home store will receive a $5 coupon toward a $15 purchase.

Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, California, has more than 540 stores nationwide. The company focuses on name-brand products.