New Nordstrom Rack will open with mad dash

The remodeled Spokane Valley Nordstrom Rack will open its doors at 9 a.m. Thursday. The event will be marked by a Nordstrom tradition, the Run Through the Rack sweepstakes, giving one person 90 seconds of free shopping.

Nordstrom Rack is the discount version of its popular main-line stores. The new Rack at Spokane Valley Mall will be larger and better designed than its former NorthTown Mall location, said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack.

Thomas said people typically start lining up early the day of the run to fill out the sweepstakes form.

“It could easily be more than 300 people” at the door before the winning entrant is chosen, he said.

At 8:45 a.m., the winner will be picked at random. Store staff will walk the person through the store to get an idea of the layout, Thomas said.

Then, as the other waiting customers cheer, the winner starts the 90-second dash. The challenge allows for a haul of up to $2,000. Typically the winner uses one or two shopping carts to hold chosen items.

“Some start with the shoes or handbags, then go on to other areas,” Thomas said. “I’ve seen some women make sure to grab one necktie to have something for their husband.”

Whatever’s grabbed can be exchanged later to ensure proper fit and preference, he added.

“We don’t let anyone leave with things they don’t really want,” Thomas said.