Citi Trends at the St. Louis Mills was abuzz Saturday when Cornell "Nelly" Haynes, Jr., stopped by the store to promote his Apple Bottoms clothing line.  

Customers who purchased $25 worth of Apple Bottoms gear gained V.I.P. access to Nelly in a general admission line that was filled with every demographic.

Cheri Russell was among the spectators who came out to meet Nelly, although it was because of her daughter. Russell said her daughter was earning good grades in school and earned the opportunity.

"I've been standing here since 12 p.m. for her," Russell said when interviewed two hours later. "She's really doing what she supposed to be doing."

Fans stood in line as they eagerly anticipated their turn to take a picture with Nelly and have their photos autographed.

Rachel Moore stood in line for more than two hours because she said she just wanted to “watch him.”

Moore was so excited to meet Nelly that she left the clothes in the store after their interaction because she said she had to "run home and tell everyone." After returning to retrieve her clothing, she waited in line again for another face-to-face interaction.

While Moore was starstruck, other people took advantage of the opportunity but were more into the clothes.

"I just so happened to be buying Apple Bottoms while visiting (from out of town), said Michelle Fisher of Jacksonville, FL.

Fisher stood in line for the meet-and-greet, but only because she received VIP access with her clothing purchase.

As for Nelly, he held babies and gave words of wisdom to the school-aged children present in-between posing for pictures.

By 4 p.m. the event was over, but Nelly stood around to sign autographs for the law enforcement staff at the event.