By Lookout Staff

August 30, 2010 -- Cheering workers greeted customers as they entered Nordstrom's new 122,000-square-foot store at Santa Monica Place Friday. The store joined Bloomingdale's as the remodeled mall's new anchor department stores.

The three-level store features a mix of clothing, accessories, shoes and cosmetics for women, men and children, as well as two food offerings -- a Blue Stove restaurant and an espresso bar.

"Our employees can't wait to serve customers here in Santa Monica and offer them a great shopping experience," said Marcille Hughes, Nordstrom Santa Monica Place store manager. "We are thrilled to join Santa Monica Place, which combined with Third Street Promenade is a great shopping destination."

Friday's opening day kicked off at 8 a.m. with the Nordstrom Beauty Bash, which gave shoppers a chance to learn about the newest cosmetics and fragrances for the fall season. The store also offered complimentary skincare consultations and makeup lessons from Nordstrom beauty advisors.

Customers were greeted inside the doors by lines of enthusiastically cheering employees when the store opened at 10 a.m.

The grand opening was preceded by a sold-out gala Wednesday night attended by more than 1,500 guests. The event raised more than $150,000 for Chrysalis, an employment service for the poor and homeless, and Children's Institute, Inc., which provides services for children traumatized by violence.

Macerich Company spent $265 million to renovate the 550,000-square-foot mall that first opened 30 year ago. The remodeled mall, which reopened on August 6, features an open air courtyard, rooftop dining deck with ocean views and a direct connection to the thriving Third Street Promenade.