Our very own Karen got to take a pre-Grand Opening tour of the newest American Girl store in Seattle, Washington. The Grand Opening is this weekend – July 16 and 17th – and it will be exciting! Here are some of the photos Karen took today and be sure to come back over the next few days as we post even more!
Seattle is the newest home to the American Girl Store. Opening this Saturday July 16-17, this 12,500 square foot location is spectacular. I was lucky enough to be invited to the store for the “soft opening” and got to take advantage of a personal tour of the store. I had so much fun taking more then 145 photographs, talking with the staff and others on hand about the American Girl Store experience.
The first thing I noticed about the store is that it is all on one storefront level. Seattle’s store located in Alderwood mall is so well laid out and not one detail has been over looked.
The water fountain and reflection pond in front of the store has a “flying water” feature and it is spectacular to watch. The water fountain and pond were a gift to the store from the mall and has the Innerstar mark on the front of the fountain facing the store’s front entrance.
Water feature in front of the American Girl Seattle store.
Once inside the store the adventure begins with the book store a small intimate corner beside the Bistro. The Bistro is spacious and offers an ala carte menu starting at just under $5.00. The menu has something for everyone and I was assured that if you have any dietary concerns upon arriving the chef will personally make a visit to your table to discuss your options. It is highly recommended that you call ahead and make a reservation. The Bistro can accommodate up to 50 people at one time so book a head to avoid disappointment.
The Chandelier in the Bistro is so beautiful.
Beside the bistro is the party room that can accommodate a party of up to 14 girls. With an amazing throne for the birthday girl, crafts, games and a special wall mounted space for the girls to place their dolls during the party.
After the tour of the Bistro and Party room, I wandered through the Historical Doll section, Doll of the Year section and even had my photo taken by the wonderfully helpful staff.
Moving on to the Bitty Section, the babies and the twins have their own special spot in the middle of the store, a very welcoming place to wander through.
Then I moved on to the Just Like You doll section, that houses the most fantastically staged doll play scenes, like the new Stable and Supplies for horses. In person it is 100% better than the photos online. If you are a horse lover I highly recommend this set!
The most popular area of the store is sure to be the hair styling salon, where you can have your doll completely pampered from head to toe. She can also have her ears pierced while you are there and then have her hair styled professionally!
A great addition to the store is the Creatvi-Tees section where you can create a shirt for yourself and your doll. You can choose from many designs. Another option is you can make your doll, her own shirt to take home to remember your special day in the store.
I had such a wonderful time at the store “soft opening” and I know that this store is going to be very busy for the next few weeks for sure. So if you are planning a trip to the new Seattle store, plan ahead, bring a camera and do not forget bring your doll. Take advantage of all the store has to offer and have a wonderful time!
I look forward to sharing more with you next week.
By Karen of Karen Mom of Three
Annie- Caroline sounds so cool! I wish she was real. I would definately get her!
Annie- Could you tell us about the best friend. Also could you tell me what Caroline looks like. I`m sorry, I forget if you already said or not.
Here’s what she looks like:
Long, straight black hair that comes in a french braid, green eyes and a new mold that is the original except with closed lips. Her meet dress is: Long silky navy blue dress with white flowers and lace. Cream colored socks and black boots. Her best friend is Lucy Walkins, she has short, curly strawberry blonde hair, brown eyes and the original mold. She comes in a light blue dress, a brown riding vest, black stockings and brown boots.
If you go back one page, there is some more stuff about her back there. Here is a little more of her stuff (sorry if all these posts are starting to annoy you guys (smiley))
Caroline’s covered wagon: Caroline travels across the west in this covered wagon. It includes: a wooden wagon with front seat, harnesses for her horse and a built-in storage box in the back, a sturdy canvas cover that can be removed, a lantern that can be hung from the top of the canvas, a flannel blanket, 2 books, a wooden crate, a whip and a bouquet of wildflowers
Annie- the dolls sound beautiful and i would be wanting the whole collection!!!!!
Stats on my AG Florida poll:
2 for Disney World
0 for CityWalk
1 for somewhere else
Keep the votes coming!
Pretty Irish AG- looks like disney world is gonna win LOL p.s. I vote for disney world
I checked every single vote and the winner is (drumroll please) DISNEY WORLD, with three votes!!!!!!! Somewhere else came in second, and CityWalk came in third.
Pretty Irish Ag-I told you disney world would win!
Guys I am having a poll “who is your favorite historical doll and why?”. Multiple choices are allowed if anyone is wondering. Since I cant pick just one I figured it would only be fair. Please cast your votes on either this post or on the “who is your favorite GOTY?” (I am afraid I’ll miss a vote If people just vote wherever) Happy voteing!!!! : )
Olivia, I’m going to need to think about that one, but I’ll answer at some point!
Annie- ok no problem.
Hmm… I would say Elizabeth, Ruthie, Felicity and Kit. But if best friends don`t count then just Lissie and Kit. I have some new story ideas. Okay, here they are. BTW, the time period is 1860. I was thinking if they retire Addy, then AG could make an 1860`s doll.
Meet Colleen
Colleen Winters is growing up on a farm in Wisconsin. Her dad goes west to mine gold, and she is left at home with her mom, her younger brother and sister, her older sister, and 3 cousins. She has to work more on the farm or taking care of her family when her mom isn`t. But she isn`t alone. Her best friend Stephanie Moores is helping her. But soon her mom stats to get sick, and can`t do as many chores so Colleen, Stephanie, and her cousin Lisa all help out.
Oh, in case your wondering, Colleen`s mom is okay at the end.
Here is what they look like.
Colleen- Long blonde loose curly hair in a half ponytail, blue eyes, and light skin with freckles. She has the classic face mold. Her meet outfit and accessories are the same from before.
Stephanie- Brown hair with red highlights in pigtails, brown eyes, and light skin. She has the Josefina mold. And her meet outfit and accessories are the same.
I sounded like a tv commercial just then LOL
Char- where are my comments on the results of my poll?
Cami, are the names Colleen and Stephanie trademarked??
No, but the new doll(s) are coming out in 2012, and I wanted to use some different names, and AG could trademark more names. I have some more ideas, but I`m gonna post them in the favorite historical doll post.
Annie- I don`t think the name Lucy is trademarked.
Annie, your ideas sound amazing! All those details you’ve thought of are delightful.
You should definitely send them to AG. 
I know, I was just asking.
I have some more ideas.
Annie-I agree with Emma you should totally send your ideas to AG, your ideas are amazing! Espesially your Caroline idea. Thats my favorite! : )
Thanks so much, Olivia! I wish that my Caroline idea comes true! I think I will write AG a letter with my Caroline ideas in it! Should I just send the summaries or a general idea in because they always have adult writers and I might have more of a chance for them that way or should I just give them the whole manuscripts? Cami, I want to here your new ideas, please post them soon!! : )
cool! hope i can go there soon!
Okay. Here is some of Colleen`s clothes.
School Outfit- A long sleeved red and black plaid dress and an apron over it, white stockings, a red headband, and black shoes.
I have a lot more but I have to go eat.
Want to go there so bad!!!!
Annie- I probably wouldn`t write the entire stories because if they don`t like them or don`t use them, then you might feel like you just wasted a lot of your time writing them. As soon as I`m done drawing my ideas I`m sending them to AG. Her are the different outfits Colleen has. Meet Outfit, School Outfit, Holiday Outfit, Ball Gown, Winter Coat, Birthday Dress, PJ`s, Robe, Riding Outfit, Spring Dress. Stephanie`s clothes are Meet Outfit, Holiday Outfit, PJ`s. I will soon post what the outfits look like.
Cami, did you (or anyone else) read or like my Diane story idea?
Annie- Where are they? I haven`t read them yet I want to though.