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The latest American Girl Place 3 story, 43,000 square foot retail "store" had its grand opening on Saturday, November 8th on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. By the end of the day there were 15,000 visitors who had come by to experience something very special for the girls, their mothers and grandmothers.
According to Anne Bratskeir of Newsday, "The American Girl series really immerses girls in a immaginative world. The whole store concept is more on the level of LegoLand and Disney World," says Chris Byrne, president of Byrne Comminucation, a consulting company that specializes in trends in the toy industry. "It is the first broad-based doll line that capitalized on the things that are really important to girls. Girls tend to be interested in history, socialization. ...It's a brilliant concept. It's an experience girls want to have and an experience parents want girls to have."
Says Ms. Bratskeir, "At a time when so many toys are high tech and so many images are sultry and sexy (think Barbie and Britney), American Girl's mission is the preservation of girlish innocence. Gor this, parents apparently are willing to shell out big bucks."
The American Girl Place is more than a store. Let's see, there's the American Girl Cafe, a 1950's style hair salon (there are 21 choices of hair, eye and skin tones), and a theatre that presents live musicals.
Then there are special party arrangements. A basic 60 minute birthday party in the American Girl Cafe that includes invitations, matching thank you notes, a two-course meal, pink peppermint ice cream, surprise souvenir and a keepsake for each guest is $30 per person. A late night 6 hour party for 15 girls including dinner, live musical performance in the theatre with a chance to meet the cast, a visit to the doll hair salon, scavanger hunt, a $25 gift certificate for each guest, and more...will cost $250 a person. And the newest ultimate experience soon to be made available, Overnight at American Girl Place for 15 to 25 girls and two adult chaperones...just too much to list; cost $15,000.
Interested in visiting or booking (reservations should be made 2 to 3 months in advance)? You can call 877-247-5223, or check out their web site: http://www.americangirl.com |
