Admittedly Nordstrom Rack had totally fallen off my radar as a shopping option prior to the new Downtown location opening earlier this year. The old location was just so creepy to shop in that it made the merchandise, however good, less appealing to me. The new Westlake Center spot is clean, bright and less crammed with stuff, and their new mobile iPad check out option totally hits the high mark of customer service that Nordstrom is known for, and their designer selection is superb, from totally reasonable stuff from Alexander Wang to still-splurgy, but totally worth it gowns from Alexander McQueen. 

Thursday, November 8 marks the opening day for the newest local Rack opening (and the 119th for the company), in Northgate Mall, complete with 41,000 square feet of on-trend clearance merchandise and new stock purchased specifically for the Rack from 30 to 70 percent off. Stats include over 1,000 handbags, over 2,000 men’s ties, tens of thousands of pairs of shoes, on-site alterations and those super cool mobile check out iPads.

The peeps at Nordstrom Rack always put on a good opening day extravaganza and Thursday’s will be no different. While the store officially opens at 9 a.m. the pre-opening festivities start at 7 a.m. with Race Through the Rack where early-bird customers can enter a drawing to win a 90-second, $2,000 shopping spree at the new store. The winner’s name is drawn and announced at 8:30 a.m. before the store opens and the contestant must be present to win.

Additionally, Rack employees will be hiding 20 emerald hangers worth $100 Rack bucks throughout the store. Follow them on Twitter @Northgate_Rack between 7-9 a.m. on opening morning to find clues. And the first 1,000 shoppers to check out will receive a special Rack tote bag. Will you be onhand for the big celebration?