The following is a post from Jonathan Adashek, General Manager of the Communications and Strategy, Sales & Marketing Services Group at Microsoft.
Microsoft welcomed two new stores to our chain this weekend. Chief Executive Officer and Detroit native, Steve Ballmer, welcomed an excited group of customers and partners to the 42nd Microsoft retail store opening at The Somerset Collection in Troy, Mich. Friday. Following the celebration in Troy, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Ron Markezich cut the ribbon to open the 43rd Microsoft retail store at The Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday morning – two important markets for Microsoft and two great malls to host our stores.
Thousands of customers and partners joined in the grand opening celebrations, taking part in the raffles for free Xbox and Surface giveaways, playing “Dance Central 3” on Kinect for Xbox 360 and singing along to Kelly Clarkson’s smash hit, “Since U Been Gone.” As a part of Microsoft’s commitment to the local community, nine local organizations in the Detroit and Indianapolis area accepted more than $2.3 million in software and hardware grants. The opening celebrations were capped off with free Clarkson concerts for customers in both cities.
Check out some photos and tweets from the openings below.
Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft store manager, Tim Thewes, and Microsoft’s general manager of the Heartland District, John Fikany, celebrate the grand opening of the 42nd Microsoft retail store at The Somerset Collection.
Microsoft retail store associates cheer as customers enter the new store at The Somerset Collection
Fans camp out all night for the Microsoft retail store opening!
Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, and GM of the Heartland District, John Fikany, present a $500,000 software grant to the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan at the new Microsoft retail store opening at The Somerset Collection.
Customer stake the Bing It On challenge at the Microsoft retail store opening over the weekend.
Fans get ready to battle it out with "Dance Central 3."
Kelly Clarkson plays to an excited fan base in celebration of the Microsoft retail store opening at The Somerset Collection.
A group of Girl Scouts play Dance Central 3 at the opening of the Microsoft retail store at The Fashion Mall at Keystone.
Microsoft Store Manager, Troy Larson, and Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President, U.S. Enterprise and Partner Group, Ron Markezich, cut the ribbon to open the 43rd Microsoft retail store at The Fashion Mall at Keystone.
Customers experience the new Microsoft retail store for the first time at The Fashion Mall at Keystone.
Customers awaiting the opening of Microsoft at The Fashion Mall at Keystone.
Kelly Clarkson getting ready for her show to celebrate the newest Microsoft retail store.
Excited fans are ready to see Kelly Clarkson.
Behind the scenes with Kelly!
