FREEPORT, Maine, Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Internationally recognized outdoor retailer L.L.Bean, best known for its Bean Boot, everyday free shipping and 100% satisfaction guarantee is pleased to celebrate the grand opening of its newest retail store at the Mall of America® in Bloomington, Minnesota Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16. Everyone is invited to the three-day event featuring giveaways, seminars, a variety of family activities, L.L.Bean's famous Bootmobile and more.
As part of its grand opening celebration, L.L.Bean has commissioned renowned Minnesota artist Tom Foty to produce an original painting of Minnehaha Falls that will adorn the cover of L.L.Bean's Christmas catalog, one of its largest catalogs, which will be mailed to all L.L.Bean customers in Minnesota. The original piece of artwork will be on display in the new retail store from November 14 to December 19 and during this time customers will have the opportunity to submit their name for a chance to win the painting. The winner will be announced on December 19.
"Utilizing the talents of one of Minnesota's most well-known artists for the cover of our largest catalog of the year is a great way to celebrate the appreciation we know Minnesotans have for nature and the environment," said Ken Kacere, senior vice-president and general manager of retail at L.L.Bean.
In addition, as part of its celebration into the market, L.L.Bean will be announcing a charitable gift of $15,000 for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The gift will include a variety of L.L.Bean outdoor gear, as well as a scholarship established by L.L.Bean and the Board that will help get more Twin Cities youth engaged in the outdoors and take full advantage of all of the dynamic outdoor recreational resources Minnesota has to offer.
Other grand opening event highlights include:
- Friday: Free L.L.Bean Gift Card worth up to $500 to the first 200 customers to come through the door--store opens at 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday: Kayak package giveaway worth up to $500 to five lucky winners
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday: several outdoor demonstrations and clinics by experts from L.L.Bean's Outdoor Discovery Schools, a Nordic ski simulator, slacklining demonstrations and instruction, 3D Art Photo Booth, free gift giveaways, food sampling, free hot cocoa and cookies and plenty of activities and fun for the whole family
In addition, all weekend long, folks can meet L.L.Bean's mascot, L.L.Bear and also have their photo taken with L.L.Bean's famous Bootmobile, a mobile version of L.L.Bean's first and most iconic product, the L.L.Bean Boot.
"Our first store west of the Mississippi is going to give folks from the Twin Cities area and beyond, many of whom are only familiar with us through our catalog and web site, the ability to touch, see and feel the true essence of our brand in person, just in time for the holiday season," continued Kacere.
The new L.L.Bean store will be located in the popular Mall of America® on the first level in the space formerly occupied by Bloomingdale's. The 30,000 square-foot store will employ approximately 120 people and will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel and footwear, outdoor gear including hiking, fly-fishing, kayaking, and camping products and more. The store will have an interior and exterior entrance.
This will be L.L.Bean's 21st retail store outside of Maine and its first store west of the Mississippi. Last month, L.L.Bean announced two additional store openings at the Burlington Town Center in Burlington, Vermont, scheduled to open November 7 and at the Park Meadows Retail Resort in Lone Tree, Colorado, scheduled to open November 21.
For more information about L.L.Bean's Mall of America® store and the grand opening event, visit http://www.llbean.com/MOA.
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 220,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at http://www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.
This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/11/prweb12304336.htm