Seattle-based Nordstrom opens 1st full-line store at Ala Moana
08 Mar '08
3 min read
Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center will also feature four food offerings, including a Marketplace Cafe, two espresso bars and the company's only Gelato Bar.
Opening day started at 7:30 a.m. with Nordstrom hosting a cosmetics tailgate party outside its mall entrance. Shoppers enjoyed complimentary beauty and skincare consultations, learned about the latest trends in makeup and fragrance, and received samples and gifts with purchase.
When the store opened at 9:30 a.m, over 600 excited employees lined the aisles and cheered enthusiastically to welcome the first customers through the doors.
Earlier in the week, Nordstrom held an opening gala that raised nearly $400,000 for partnering charities Bishop Museum, Hawaii Theatre Center and HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support).
Guests had an opportunity to shop in the new store while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert buffets, specialty drinks and live entertainment.
The highlight of the evening was two full-scale runway fashion shows featuring spring 2008 designer collections for women and men.
The shows were held in a hangar-size tent adjacent to the store and featured theatrical lighting and 40 models walking a 64-foot runway.