The Herald visits the new Nordstrom Store

March 7, 2008 · No Comments

If you haven’t already visited the new Nordstrom Store at Ala Moana Center . . . well then you aren’t one of the 1,000 shoppers who went there this morning - some as early as 5:30 a.m.

Our Managing Editor, Gwen Battad Ishikawa was invited to the media walk-through of the store on Jan. 31 and the grand opening gala that took place on Wednesday, March 5. So if you are sitting there at work, waiting for the clock to hit 5 o’clock so you can hit up Hawaii’s newest department store, maybe this will ease your mind:

NORDSTROM ALA MOANA CENTER OPENING GALA RAISES $400,000 FOR LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Nordstrom Ala Moana Center introduced itself to Hawaii with a lavish gala event on Wednesday, March 5, two days before its public opening on March 7.

The gala was underwritten entirely by the Seattle-based company and helped raise more than $400,000 for the Bishop Museum, Hawaii Theatre Center and HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support).

More than 2,500 guests were the first to preview the new full-line store and enjoyed püpü by Chef Chai Chawasaree of Chai’s Island Bistro; Chef Donato Loperfido and Chef Philippe Padovani from Elua Restaurant and Wine Bar and desserts by JJ Pastry. Live entertainment by Puamama, Amy Hanaiali‘i, Matt Catingub, Jimmy Borges and Mihana Souza.

The highlight of the event was a runway fashion show featuring Nordstrom’s 2008 American and European collections for men and women. Featured designers included Diane von Furstenberg, Giambattista Valli, Michael Kors, Missoni and Phillip Lim.

Then of course, there was the shopping. Nordstrom originally started out as a shoe store and the Ala Moana location did not disappoint. The three women’s shoe departments were in full swing, offering hundreds of shoes to choose from. The cosmetics department was also bustling, where ladies took advantage of the complimentary makeovers and gifts with purchase.

Store manager Brian Tatsumura with assistant store manager Marisa Pomeroy.