Well shopping fans, the day is almost here. Nordstrom is set to open their first international store tomorrow. And fashion loving Calgarians (including moi) are thrilled. And for good reason. Lately we’ve seen more and more luxury stores enter the Canadian market but Nordstrom’s new Chinook Centre location is causing buzz unlike others. And if their clever marketing campaign and last night’s awesome opening gala (a benefit for Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and United Way of Calgary) are any indication of what we can expect of the retail giant, Calgary is in for something very cool.
The store itself is stunning. And huge! On top of all the awesome product lines they carry (everything from contemporary to designer, Converse to Valentino), the legendary department store offers shoppers unbeatable servicers Canadians aren’t often used to. The new Calgary location has a solid selection of harder-to-find cutting-edge designers, eight complimentary personal stylists (all you have to do is ask for one), on-site alterations, a ‘beauty concierge’ not tied to sales or any particular cosmetic line (but can offer an expert onion), a coffee bar and FIVE SHOE DEPARTMENTS.
What some shoppers might love the most is the store’s on site full-service restaurant, Bazille. Most luxury department stores have chic restaurants on site (Calgary’s Holt Renfrew is adding one soon) and they’re the perfect place to grab a glass of wine or Prosecco after you’ve made that big purchase. Or better yet, have the glass of wine first. You’ll look better in what you try on and all of a sudden that must-have bag of the season won’t seem like such a splurge.
Nordstrom opens at 9:30 am but they’re having a Pre-Opening Beauty Bash at 7:30 am, where stylish women and their friends can get some tips from the store’s beauty experts. Following the opening of Calgary’s location will be locations in Ottawa (March, 2015), Vancouver (Fall 2015) and Toronto (Fall 2016).
Those cities definitely have something to look forward to because Nordstrom is doing right!
Casey Wagar 