Sarasota H&M dances its way to Mall at University Town Center grand opening
UNIVERSITY PARK -- On Cyber Monday, H&M decided to open its bricks-and-mortar storefront in The Mall at University Town Center with a party.
A deejay turned the tables to get the crowd pumped up, and employees did the "Dougie" before more than 230 people filed through the doors at noon.
Laurie Weekes of Parrish was working with little sleep after a long weekend capped off with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game and morning workout at the gym. But she wouldn't miss the grand opening at H&M for anything. Weekes was the first in line Monday, coming away with a goodie bag that included a $200 gift card that she planned on using for sweaters and leg warmers.
"I've been shopping H&M since (I wore) maternity clothes. I've been shopping for a long time," Weekes said.
Grace Valtz, 17 of Sarasota came with three friends and managed to get a $75 gift card, a T-shirt and other goodies for being second in line. She's happy she doesn't have to drive to Tampa for H&M anymore for the clothes she likes.
"It's really classy," she said. "It's not like Forever 21. It's more fashion forward than other stores."
Valtz and Weekes were just a couple of the first lucky
200 who received goodie bags and gift cards valued between $10 and $200. The line wound up the stairs to the second level, which stands as the second-largest crowd to the folks waiting to get into Apple during the mall's Oct. 16 grand opening.
Before shoppers were let in, employees chanted "H and M," sang and danced to bring up the energy, a common sight to see for H&M openings.
"This store opening, like each one before it, is incredibly important to us and we celebrate it on our own unique way," said H&M spokeswoman Jennifer Ward. "We are so fortunate that the communities where we are located have embraced our retail concept and fashion point of view to such a level that opening day has become a true event."
H&M, officially Hennes & Mauritz, offers trendy wear geared toward teens and young adults, but attracts shoppers of all ages.
"We are thrilled to open our 20th store in Florida," said Daniel Kulle, U.S. president for the Swedish-based retailer. "We look forward to providing our Sarasota customers with everything they need for spring, from basics in inspiring fashion items for the whole family, all at great value."
The 25,000-square-foot store near Dillard's is split on two levels. Women's, juniors and lingerie are on the lower level and men's and children's clothing on the upper level.
The store also offers cosmetics and sportswear with many of its clothes hovering around $15 to $30 each.
Thirty employees were hired for the new store as the chain is in the midst of a U.S. expansion that will see a similarly sized store open in spring 2015 in Westfield Sarasota Square.
"We see continued great potential in all our existing markets as well as in markets where we have not yet opened," Ward said. "The goal is to expand and make H&M's collections accessible to a wide range of Sarasota shoppers."
Leading up to Christmas, more stores are expected to open in the mall this month, including Natural Comfort and Footgear Outdoor on Dec. 15.
Charles Schelle, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow him on Twitter @ImYourChuck.
This story was originally published December 1, 2014 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Sarasota H&M dances its way to Mall at University Town Center grand opening ."