With store after store in Southern California now bearing "for lease" signs, the Seattle-based department store chain Nordstrom is showing its confidence in California's recovery by opening a new store.
The 138,000-square-foot retail space will open its doors Friday at the Los Cerritos Center. The new store actually replaces a smaller Nordstrom that's been at this location since April 1981.
A number of financial analysts have said the recession ended in California late last year, but the recovery has been slow. Many retailers -- such as Mervyn's -- have gone belly up in the last few years.
The new Nordstrom is taking over the space that originally held a Robinsons-May store. Shoppers in Cerritos told NBCLA that they think a high-end store reaffirming itself with a brand-new space is a good sign.
"They're trying to upscale the mall anyway," said shopper Candice Cleese, adding she thought it was kind of cool.
Shopper Steven Ebalobor thought it could be good for Cerritos. One thing that has been good is jobs. The store's hired 118 new employees bringing the staff to 427, says Nordstrom spokesman John Bailey.
"We're really excited to be opening this new store," Bailey said.
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The new store will have the same departments as the old, plus some new ones including designer handbags, a beauty studio, the Café Bistro restaurant and a sunglasses shop.
