D.C.'s first two Walmart stores opened their doors Wednesday morning.

The city hosted ribbon-cittings at the new 99 H St. NW and 5929 Georgia Ave. NW stores about half an hour before the doors opened at 8 a.m. Employees were on hand at the stores throughout the night getting ready, reported News4's Melissa Mollet.

Crowds lined up well in advance of the opening, pouring into the stores as soon as they opened. Protesters showed up, too, bearing signs with messages such as "Wallmart [sic]: Too High a Cost for low Prices!" and chanting, "Low prices means low wages."

More here via News4