Hundreds of Shoppers Line up for New American Eagle on Broadway

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The scene: American Eagle Outfitters' new Soho flagship. The mood: retail hysteria. No, it's not the Louboutin sample sale—that's next week. More than 500 eager customers lined up around the block—some got there as early as 4:30 am!—for the AE store opening downtown this morning. The first 500 received free $50 money cards, but anyone who thought they'd score a freebie mid-morning was clear out of luck—the whole lot was claimed before 8 a.m.

The sparkling-new 24,000 square foot flagship sits smack dab across the street from rival casualwear store Hollister—and American Eagle pulled out all the stops for this cross-Broadway showdown. The tri-level shop stocks complete men's wear, women's wear, and Aerie collections with dedicated wings for New York flagship-exclusive NY-branded merchandise like rugged canvas totes and faux-fur-lined knit men's mohawk hats.

The lower level features an expanded (and expansive) Aerie collection—it's not just underwear anymore, folks! The muted colors and cozy textures of the label's separates and sleepwear and broad new range of Aerie accessories stand in sharp contrast to the all-American sporty-prep feel of the American Eagle main collection and will appeal to fans of Anthropologie and Madewell.
· Newest Nest for American Eagle Set to Open Tuesday in Soho [Racked NY]
· American Eagle Outfitters [Official Site]