Neiman Marcus Joins List Of Big Name Retailers In Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK (CBS 5 / KCBS) - Shopping in downtown Walnut Creek became even more upscale as Neiman Marcus opened an 85,000 square foot store on Friday.

The area around Broadway Plaza already counts Nordstrom, Macy's, Tiffany's and Apple among its big brand tenants.

"I have heard that we are rated as one of the top ten retail destinations in the U.S.," said Mayor Bob Simmons.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

The store opened at 10:00 a.m. to a huge line of customers waiting outside.

During the lengthy planning process there were worries the Plaza would not be able to handle all the traffic, or that another big name store might overshadow struggling mom and pop shops.

Simmons pointed out it's better to be adding retailers than seeing stores, more so in a slow economy.

"We're well positioned, as the economy recovers, to do very well," he said.

General manager Jamie Broadhurst said his store incorporates local flourishes, such as artwork commissioned by California artists.

"The store was specifically designed for this community. No two Neiman Marcus stores are alike," he said.

The Walnut Creek store is the 42nd Neiman Marcus in the country.

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