Microsoft's store opening garners a crowd
More than 1,000 people turn out to Mission Viejo, Calif., for the opening of Microsoft's second retail outlet. The offer of tickets to a pop concert probably helped a bit.
Apparently it's not only Apple that knows how to draw people in for a store opening.
Thursday's opening of a Microsoft Store in Mission Viejo, Calif., drew some 1,000 people, according to the Orange County Register. The store is Microsoft's second, after a Scottsdale, Ariz., outlet that opened last week.
Aliso Viejo resident Stefanie Tran waited almost a full day for the opening, according to the paper, although that was mainly to score tickets to a performance by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber at 5 p.m. Thursday. Tickets were given to those first in line at the store.
Beyond the occasional pop star, the store features a video wall, several Surface tabletop computers, as well as the ability to buy Microsoft Signature PCs--computers from Sony, Dell, HP, and others that feature a clean desktop, no "crapware," as well as the complete collection of Windows Live software.
Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, who oversees the retail effort, was among those on hand for Thursday's opening.