by Lillian BOODAGHIANS

A little over two years after the announcement that Nordstrom would relocate from the Glendale Galleria to The Americana at Brand, the move is finally complete! And what better way to celebrate than a house warming party with a cause.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Nordstrom hosted an opening gala that served as both a store preview for guests and a charity event with proceeds benefitting two local charities: Ascencia, a foundation based in Glendale that provides permanent housing for the city’s homeless, and Hillsides, a Pasadena-based charity that works to help at-risk youth through their various programs that build emotional health and aid in education.

Live models sporting the store’s fashions stood aboard The Americana trolley and greeted guests as they entered the store. The lobby, with its shining chandelier-style light fixture, was packed with attendees chit-chatting, sipping cocktails and snapping pictures of the new location while DJs pumped music throughout the three-story building. Nordstrom was abuzz with over a thousand guests exploring the offerings of the new location, all the while making their donation to the community charities.

Nancy Garni, director of Development at Hillsides and an attendee at the night’s festivities, described the process of becoming involved with Nordstrom for the event.

“Nordstrom came to us with the idea of having the event be linked with charity. We were selected alongside Ascencia from about five charities after having undergone a very fine vetting process [by Nordstrom],” said Garni.

Preparation for the charity event, the development of which was spearheaded by Nordstrom itself, Garni added, had taken about six to nine months and had culminated in a gala with over one thousand guests including celebrities such as Nicole Richie, members of the Nordstrom family Blake, Erik, Pete, and Jamie Nordstrom, as well as members of the community and the charities. Attendees were treated to dinner and dessert bites while they shopped the new store.

Filled to the brim with designer clothing, shoes, and beauty products, the store did not fall short of expectations and was as luxurious as the event itself. Models substituting for mannequins stood at mini displays on the shop floor while store employees helped guests with their shopping needs.

The new Nordstrom at The Americana is a departure both in style and in merchandise from the original store in the Glendale Galleria. A crisp, clean white theme brightens the store, giving it a fresher, more sophisticated vibe comparable to other Nordstrom stores like that at Santa Monica Place or The Grove. The youthfulness of the store gives it an energy the original store lacked. Featuring Ebar, the store’s own coffee bar, and Bar Verde, a new restaurant, the Nordstrom in Glendale has been given a much needed and long overdue update, renewing its appeal not only to veteran shoppers but also to newcomers of the retailer.

  Dan HOLM, Lillian BOODAGHIANS