LPWire: Queens Center Mall Disney Store Grand Opening Sunday May 22

Disney Store to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Retail Space at Queens Center Mall in New York

Disney Store to Host 'Ultimate Party' with Disney Character Appearances
Radio Disney AM 1560 Party Patrol to Provide Music, Games and Prizes

Beloved Disney characters, Radio Disney AM 1560 Party Patrol, Disney fans and Disney Store executives will gather together on Sunday, May 22, 2005 for a fun-filled celebration of the grand opening of Disney Store at Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst, NY. The event marks the first Disney Store mall location to open in a new market in five years, and the 307th Disney Store in North America. The new retail space, located in the heart of Queens home to over 2.2 million people, will include a video wall modeled after the facade of the Disneyland attraction It's a Small World, and guests will be greeted by a ten feet-tall Mickey Mouse at the storefront's entrance.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., and Radio Disney AM 1560 Party Patrol will be on-hand for entertainment, including music, games and giveaways, beginning at 11:30 a.m. From noon to 4:00 p.m., a "meet and greet" event will take place with special Disney Characters on the third level, JC Penney wing. Guests will receive a Mickey Mouse plush toy with a $30 purchase.

"As our first mall-based store to open in a new market in five years, Queens Center represents a major milestone in Disney Store's growth," said Mario Ciampi, president of Disney Store. "In addition, we are delighted to be bringing our concept to the metro New York area, an important and under-penetrated market for our stores. The Queens Center store will offer great quality, everyday value and a merchandise line-up and environment that's tailored to give Disney fans a magical, fun and affordable shopping experience. Our merchandise will be unique - 100 percent authentic Disney."

"The growth and success of Queens Center is a direct result of the retail choices we are offering," said Dawn Simon, marketing manager, Queens Center. "The Disney Store is a great addition to our retail lineup and we are excited to have them join our merchant family."

Disney Store at Queen's Center will merchandise authentic, quality Disney character toys and apparel, with an extensive line of Disney Princess dolls, action figures, plush toys, swimwear, tees, outerwear, pajamas and accessories.

In addition to the new Queens Center store and the Woodbury Commons outlet center store, which opened in March, approximately eight additional new Disney Stores are planned to open in fiscal 2005 with approximately 35 locations slated for remodeling. The Queens Center mall, which completed a $275 million expansion and modernization last year, is one of the top producing malls in North America. The mall is located in Elmhurst, NY, at Woodhaven and Queens Boulevard. Queens Center is located on the north side of the Long Island Expressway - Exit 19.

--Posted May 19, 2005
Source: Disney Store