The Swedish clothing retail store H&M held the grand opening of its Tallahassee store in the Governor's Square Mall Thursday at noon. Excited shoppers were wrapped around the mall in waiting several hours in advance.
There were three things on the minds of awaiting H&M shopper Rachel: sales, discounts, and free gift cards.
“I hope it’s like really fun in there, a good environment. I don’t know – it’s H&M!” she said.
More than 250 people were in line for the opening of the popular retail store. The line stretched from the windows of H&M all the way around the corner to the JCPenney exit. A D.J. was even playing loud dance music at the line’s front. Many had been standing outside since 8 a.m.
Why?
The promise of new clothes at low prices. H&M has stores in 53 countries and many in major U.S. cities such as Orlando, Tampa and Atlanta. Now that Tallahassee has joined the ranks of H&M cities, some patrons believe it is a step forward.
Janae, who waited in line with a friend, said, “We’re finally stepping up! Cause I’m from Tallahassee so we’re finally getting bigger and better things.”
Additional sales applied to those who had brought clothes to donate for one of H&M’s philanthropic causes.
While waiting in line, shoppers were given catalogs to look through and sale codes to hold onto – which they did, tightly.