CHEYENNE — Specialty home décor and gifts retailer Kirkland's recently opened one of its newest locations at Cheyenne Marketplace in Frontier Mall and will soon host its grand opening.

"We're so excited about the first Kirkland's location in the state of Wyoming," a public relations representative of the company said in an email.

For those unfamiliar with the chain, that hardly means it is the first location for the store. The chain now operates 324 stores nearly 47 years after its founding in the Southeast. In fact, the Cheyenne location was only one of 11 to open this holiday season for the expanding retailer. However, Cheyenne was the only new location west of the Mississippi River. Other stores opened almost concurrently in North Carolina, New Jersey, Minnesota, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina and Illinois.

"Kirkland's is extremely excited to bring our ... home décor to the state of Wyoming," said Michelle Graul, senior vice president of stores and human resources for Kirkland's.

On Jan. 12 and 13, Kirkland's will host its grand opening and bring in local interior designer Lisa Demberg to provide design tips from 1 to 4 p.m. both days. The company is encouraging customers to bring photos or plans of spaces they are improving or wish to improve for a free consultation. The company is also planning some giveaways in conjunction with the grand opening.

According to a release from the company, the Wyoming location will employ between 15 and 18 people.

More information can be found at www.kirklands.com and www.facebook.com/kirklands.

For more Daily news click here and look under 'Breaking News'