Opening-day freebies at Apple Store, others grab attention, draw customers
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Sometimes the best things in life you pay for. And, sometimes the people trying to sell you those things get you into the store by giving you something for free.
Not spending money at Thursday's grand opening of The Mall at University Town Center was no reason to go home empty-handed. To build buzz and pack out their stores, a number of the merchants were offering freebies to almost anyone who crossed their doorsteps.
The killer promotion of the day was at the Apple Store, which gave away Mall at UTC-branded Apple Store T-shirts to the first 1,000 people to enter. Lined up in a network of stanchions an hour before the 10 a.m. opening, hundreds of people waited their turn to enter the store in groups. Apple Store employees whipped the crowd into a cheering frenzy, running circles around the lineup outside the store's ground-floor location and through those waiting on stairs and the second floor above.
Janet Alloy and Susan Meisel of Sarasota managed to get two of those T-shirts after a hard-fought wait.
"We had been waiting in line for almost an hour and
several people got in front of us," Alloy said.
Apple Store personnel moved the interlopers to the back of the line. As it was, Alloy said, there were more than enough shirts to go around.
The other free promotions around the mall were more low key. Inside the lululemon athletic wear store, Siesta Key coffeehouse Lelu Coffee gave out cups of java and bites of carrot cake in a cross promotion. Business owner Jennifer Suber Smith said it was a way for her business to stand out with help from a big brand with a similar name.
"It's a good opportunity for the little guys," she said.
For those who wanted a beverage that mellowed the open day experience, shoppers were able to grab complimentary glasses of champagne at Saks Fifth Avenue while taking in an avant-garde dance and music performance.
Still others sought to get pumped on giveaways. North Port High School students Trent Lynn and Justin Hatshore stopped in at the mall's new GNC franchise location and picked up free samples of Pump Fuel and Cellucor C4 to use in their weight workouts. The pair had been at another mall in Sarasota earlier in the morning getting fitted for their homecoming dance attire, and decided to check out the new mall in town.
Franchise owner Brian Russell was also giving away 200 free gold card memberships for the store and expected that vendors will be in through the weekend to give away their own gear.
Free deals of the decorative kind were also in the offing. Yankee Candle handed out votive candles, while Tommy Bahama welcomed customers to its new store with fresh Hawaiian leis. Bradenton-based Champs Sports delayed gratification on its promotion, angling to lure shoppers back at 6:30 p.m. with a special appearance by and autograph signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans.
One rumored freebie that didn't materialize concerned free gift cards that many expected to be given out at Forever21. Shoppers were disappointed to find that the giveaway actually takes place on Saturday.
There were a few gratis offerings that were not out of the ordinary. Test drives at the Tesla electric car showroom opening in the mall will be free every day to interested drivers, while the Coldstone ice cream scoopers will hand out little spoons full of sample ice cream to anyone who asks.
Matt M. Johnson, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7027, or on Twitter @MattAtBradenton.
This story was originally published October 17, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Opening-day freebies at Apple Store, others grab attention, draw customers ."