SNEAK PREVIEW: Microsoft Store at City Creek

Tomorrow morning at 10:30am, the new Microsoft store will have it’s grand opening ceremonies at City Creek Center before they open their doors at 11am.

I was privileged to be a part of a group invited to preview the new store before it opens and get an overview of everything the store has to offer. The brightly lit store is stocked with laptops, PCs, the new Surface, Windows phones, Xbox devices and games and much more.

“The store is essentially a gathering place for the community,” said Michael Regan, store manager of Microsoft at City Creek. “We invite the public to come in and meet with our knowledgeable staff and have any type of technology question answered. Our Answers Desk has what we call customer service advisors that are here to take care of any type of problem you may have with your device, and help diagnose that and get you going on your day.”

Service advisors at the Microsoft Store are also there to assist the community with “Microsoft Learn”. This is a one-on-one classroom setting where advisors will sit down with you and help teach different types of devices, software or any other technology you need to learn about.

The theater space at the Microsoft Store is completely dedicated to the community to use for free as needs arise. Not only can you host a learning class for your work group, but you can rent it out for Xbox parties, birthday parties and anything else you may need it for.

For complete information on renting out the theater space at the Microsoft Store at City Creek Center, contact Ryann Rasmussen, the Community Development Specialist. Her email address is ryrasmus@microsoft.com.

“We have done everything from public workshops to private workshops, to Xbox parties,” Rasmussen said. “If you’ve got families with kids that love Dance Central, let me know and we can do a special birthday party for you!”

Summer Camps classes are also available this year at the Microsoft Store at City Creek Center. Watch their website for a list of upcoming classes and how to register.

Microsoft has been donating money to non-profit organizations for 30 years. March 27, 2013, the Microsoft Store at City Creek Center staff recently spent a day at Wheeler Farm doing various jobs and helping the farmers with their chores.

“We are so thankful for all the work the Microsoft group did for us here at the farm,” said Rick Snow, Head Farmer at Wheeler Historic Farm. “They did more work than any other volunteer group we’ve had and they put us a month ahead of schedule.”

Many of the staff members had never even been close to a farm animal, let alone spent time on a farm, so it was a great opportunity for the staff as well to be able to participate in this community service project.

Rasmussen is also the contact person if you have a group that could benefit from their service.

Grand Opening Weekend Events:

Wednesday April 10th

• 10:00 p.m. - Start lining up for your chance to meet Train and attend their exclusive performance on Saturday. Location: In front of Microsoft in Regent Court at City Creek Center.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

• 10:30 a.m. - Grand opening ceremonies begin.
• 11:00 a.m. - Microsoft retail store officially opens and tickets are distributed for the exclusive performance and meet and greet with Train.

Friday April 12th

• 11am - Intro to Windows 8 class
• 2pm – Intro to Windows Phone 8 class
• 5pm – Intro to Office 2013 class

Saturday April 13th

• 10:00 a.m. - Start lining up to get into the performance area at the Gallivan Center near City Creek Center.
• 11am – Intro to Windows Phone 8 class
• 12:00 p.m. Gates open for exclusive Train performance.
• 1pm – Internet Family Safety class
• 2:00 p.m. – Train concert scheduled to start.
• 2pm – Intro to Windows 8 class
• 4pm – Intro to Office 2013 class
• 5pm – Xbox Entertainment

Xbox and SmartGlass Demos every hour, on the hour.