Canarsie residents expressed excitement Sunday after learning that the newest neighbor in town will be BJ's Wholesale.

As project plans are fleshed out for the construction of Canarsie Plaza, neighbors in the area say they looking forward to the new shopping experience. Currently, the closest BJ's to the Canarsie community is at the Gateway Mall, which is three miles away. Residents, like Ernestine Sinkler and Lucy Perez, believe the new store will make the area come alive.

Canarsie Plaza will be built at the empty lot on Remsen Avenue and Avenue D. Along with BJ's, the plaza will house a municipal building and a 500-space parking lot. Phase two of the construction will open even more stores in the plaza.

Sinkler says she's excited for the new shopping, but also for the new job opportunities the stores will likely bring.

"I'm crossing my fingers right now, so I'm hoping it'll go through," Sinkler says. "That'd be really great. It'll bring jobs ... I need a second job. It's rough."

Original plans included the construction of a Home Depot. Residents say they will use the BJ's more frequently.