Bon Marche Opens Doors At New Valley Mall Store ‘Soft Opening’ Offers First Peek At New Shopping Center

Today’s the big day.

Shoppers can finally sneak a peek of the new Spokane Valley Mall, starting at 9:30 a.m. when The Bon Marche becomes the mall’s first store to open its doors for business.

The 120,000-square foot department store will hold a “soft opening” today, meaning it will be open, but without grand opening hoopla.

All the bells and whistles will be pulled out for the Bon’s grand opening July 31. Next weekend, shoppers can get free makeovers, listen to a concert, learn cooking tips, and get fashion advice from representatives of Calvin Klein and Christian Dior.

The mall’s other anchors, J.C. Penney and Sears, will stagger their opening dates within the next two weeks. With the exception of Act III Theaters’ cinema complex, the entire mall is scheduled to open Aug. 13. The 12-screen movie house won’t open until Aug. 15.

While the rest of the stores won’t be ready today, shoppers can catch glimpses of the mall through the Bon’s inside doors.

The Bon’s third Spokane store features several cutting-edge design elements.

“When we design a store, we use the latest techniques from the other stores that we’re building around the country,” said Gary Yiatchos, the Bon’s senior vice president for marketing.

A 36-foot atrium anchoring glass elevators is the centerpiece of the store. Marble tile, hardwood floors, and ceramic/porcelain finishings accentuate various departments. Lighted coves string along the ceilings.

Most of the Bon’s name brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Liz Claiborne, are already available in the retailer’s other Spokane stores. What’s different about the new Bon is the way clothing is displayed and marketed, says Yiatchos.

“Shoppers will see an exciting presentation of merchandise,” he says. “We are basically incorporating the newest and latest in design.”

Inside the mall, 75 retailers are busy preparing for the mall’s grand opening, to be held Aug. 13. When the mall opens, it should be about 60 percent full, says Byron Orton, general manager of the mall.

Palm trees, sculptures, black steel benches, kiosks, hanging floral planters and waste receptacles will be installed this week, he said.

“It’s like you build a house and then you bring in the furniture so you can live in it,” said Orton. “This will really make it come together.” , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SPOKANE VALLEY MALL OPENING EVENTS Here’s a schedule of major store openings and events at the Spokane Valley Mall: July 25 The Bon Marche opens at 9:30 a.m. July 31 The Bon’s grand opening celebration begins at 9 a.m. The Planet Lounge Orchestra performs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Bon Marche atrium. Aug. 1 J.C. Penney opens at 11 a.m. Aug. 6 J.C. Penney’s grand opening celebration starts at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 Spokane Valley Mall grand opening begins at 9:30 a.m. Sears opens. The Bon Marche presents a fashion show at 1 p.m. in the mall entrance. The Spokane Symphony performs in the atrium at 9 p.m. Free admission. Aug. 15 Grand opening of Act III Theaters’ Spokane Valley 12. The theater hosts a weekend movie festival. Free admission and refreshments. Aug. 16 Sears’ grand opening begins.