MOBILE, Alabama – The wait is almost over.

The folks at Rouses Markets took to social media, announcing via Twitter, opening dates for two of the five stores the Thibodaux, La.-based chain will soon open in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Theodore shoppers will get the first taste with Rouses opening its very first Alabama location at 7361 Theodore Dawes Road on Sunday, Feb. 9.

The second location will open Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 4350 Old Shell Road in the Spring Hill area of Mobile.

Grand opening plans for the remaining three stores -- to be located at 1525 Gulf Shores Pkwy., 112 Saraland Loop and 6729 Spanish Fort Blvd. -- will be made soon, the company said via Twitter:

Both full- and part-time positions are available as Rouses seeks to staff five former Belle Foods locations purchased at auction in September by Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., a retailer-owned cooperative to which the chain belongs. AWG bought a total of 43 stores for $16.13 million when Birmingham-based Belle filed for bankruptcy.

According to the grocer's website, applications are currently being accepted at all five Alabama locations.

Founded in 1960, Rouses employs more than 5,400 at 38 stores across Louisiana and Mississippi.

For more details on the company's hiring plans, timetable for the remaining three southwest Alabama stores and experience to date in Alabama, click here to read AL.com's interview with managing partner Donny Rouse.