World Market's grand opneing Thursday at Carson Valley Plaza

Cost Plus World Market opened its doors Tuesday, the first in the newly built Carson Valley Plaza. The opening was not announced, but by 11 a.m. about 25 customers were milling in the store.

"I was at Wal-Mart when I decided to drive in here to see what was going on," said Lynne Trujillo of Carson City. "The store was open, so I decided to check it out. This is fabulous."

In addition to imported housewares, pottery and furniture, World Market carries foreign and domestic groceries. German-born Ilse Mueller, who now lives in Zephyr Cove, was eying the spaetzle in the food section.

"The service has been wonderful. The store is great and I love the layout," she said. "I'm going to bring my husband. He's not a shopper, but he'll love this."

Eco-friendly door mats woven from coconut husks are neatly stacked on one shelf and a dining table made in Thailand of Asian Beechwood stands at the opposite end of the store. General manager Lauren Baugh said the woods are grown commercially, not harvested.

"We don't believe in raping the rain forest for furniture," she said. "The trees are primarily grown in Asia on farms. The company has a very strict policy."

Baugh said the grand opening is set for 9 a.m. Thursday. The day will include raffles, free food samples, balloons and a Mariachi band.

The first World Market opened in 1958 when a San Francisco businessman parlayed his passion for travel into an import business by selling a shipload of handwoven wicker from a local pier. The furniture sold out within a few days, but the idea lived on. The company now operates about 187 stores in 23 states, according to the company Web Site.

World Market is the first anchor store to open at Carson Valley Plaza in North Douglas County. Best Buy will open Monday and Michael's Arts and Crafts, Sept. 12. Bed Bath and Beyond, Borders Books and Music, Marshalls Inc. and Petco will be joining them in coming months. Old Navy is set to open next year.

The new complex, which includes about 305,000 square feet of retail space and about 1,947 parking spaces, is owned by AIG Baker Shopping Center Properties of Birmingham, Ala., and is at 911 Topsy Lane. World Market hours are from Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

IF YOU GO

What: Grand opening Cost Plus World Market

When: 9 a.m. Thursday

Where: 911 Topsy Lane in north Douglas County