MACY'S GETS BIG WELCOME HIGH-END STORE OFFICIALLY OPENING.

Byline: ALEX DOBUZINSKIS Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- Like a debutante slowly getting ready for the ball, Robinsons-May at the Westfield Valencia Town Center has been changing its look as it turns into a new Macy's store.

And today's the big day.

The store will celebrate its official opening this morning, even though it's already been operating as a Macy's. Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste will say a few words, a DJ will groove out in the cosmetics department and free gift cards will be handed out.

``It's going to just be an exciting opportunity to celebrate and welcome Macy's to our center, and to take advantage of a great new retail anchor,'' said Jalina Warner, marketing director for the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

The Robinsons-May merchandise is gradually being replaced with Macy's merchandise at the store, and that will continue after today's official grand opening.

New and permanent Macy's signs are already up, and a few days ago, the store pulled down the vinyl Robinsons-May signs that had covered them in anticipation of an official changeover.

Sonia Morreale, 41, of Santa Clarita is glad Macy's has come to town because she can finally use a gift card she got last Christmas from family members in Glendale.

``I think they pretty much carry a lot of the same (brands),'' Morreale, a teacher, said on her way into the store Friday. ``Like, right now, I'm coming for makeup and they carry the same brands.''

Mirna Martinez, a stay-at-home mom accompanying a sister-in law who was applying for a job on the morning cleanup shift at Macy's, said she likes the store but she doesn't expect to shop there.

``This is a lot of money. It's expensive,'' she said.

The mall's Robinsons-May is turning into a Macy's because last year Federated Department Stores, which owns Macy's, acquired May Department Stores. Federated has been selling some former Robinsons-May stores across the country, and converting others to Macy's.

The change was good for the Town Center, which had been trying to lure a Macy's and even considered building a new space for the high-end retailer.

``The people that I've spoken to, certainly from the business community, are excited to have a store that I think is a little bit more upscale than the Robinsons-May,'' said Larry Mankin, head of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. ``And they're excited to have them in the community.''

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com

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IF YOU GO:

Macy's will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Valencia Boulevard entrance at 9:30 a.m. today at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. The first 500 customers will get $10 gift cards.

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