Suffolk put her best foot forward at Thursday’s grand opening of Designer Shoe Warehouse, the latest retailer to open in North Suffolk’s thriving Hampton Roads Crossing.

“We wish you much success,” said Mayor Linda Johnson, wielding a giant pair of scissors — the city’s official snippers for grand openings — to cut the red ribbon spanning the DSW’s doorway. Even before the ceremony was over, customers were trickling through the door.

People have been eagerly awaiting DSW’s opening ever since last year’s State of the City address, when Johnson announced the shoe retailer’s plan to open its fifth Hampton Roads location, Johnson said.

The 12,000-square-foot store has more than 15,000 pairs of shoes for men, women and children, said DWS District Manager Gerald Boone.

Women will find an assortment of shoes — sneakers, running shoes, sandals, boots and high heels — and accessories including scarves, socks, jewelry and handbags, Boone said. Men will find slip-ons, boat shoes and all sorts of athletic shoes.

DSW is most recent retail tenant to open in Hampton Roads Crossing, a $20 million mixed-use development being built on 148 acres by master developer, The Terry Peterson Companies.  Several stores in the 100,000-square-foot shopping center opened earlier this year, including Michaels, Petco and FiveBelow, a discount store that sells everything for under $5.

Several others will open during the next two months, including Ulta, a cosmetics store and beauty salon; Ross Dress for Less; Great Clips; Lavish Nail Spa; and Clothes Mentor, a women’s resale store.

The shopping center is anchored by a 123,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace. Several hundred single-family homes, apartments and condominiums are being built behind the shopping center.

“It’s amazing how other stores flocked here once Kroger signed on,” said Terry Peterson President Tuck Bowie. Two restaurants — the recently opened Texas Roadhouse and soon-to-opened Zaxby’s, are on the shopping center’s outer loop. Although it’s technically not part of Hampton Roads Crossing, an adjacent Rite Aid Pharmacy opened last week on Hampton Roads Parkway.

“There are six out parcels left, and we’re talking to a couple other restaurants,” Bowie said. The area behind the shopping center will remain green space, with walking trails to and from residential area, he said.

On Thursday, construction crews were working inside several neighboring stores, hustling to get things ready to open. Ulta will be the next large store to open in a 10,000-square-feet space, with a grand opening ceremony set for May 5.

Technically, Clothes Mentor opens Monday to buy clothes and begin building its inventory, owner Sid Saylor said. On Thursday, the storefront was filled with empty racks and shelves. He expects it will take six to eight weeks before the store is ready to start selling.