REMINDER/Interview/Photo Opportunity: R&B and Hip-Hop Artist Ashanti to Autograph Copies of New Album at Grand Opening of Manhattan Best Buy Store, July 18.

Assignment/Photo Desks, Entertainment, Retail, Business, Metro,

Lifestyle Reporters & News Directors

REMINDER...for Friday (July 18)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

KISS, Goo Goo Dolls continue celebration with guest appearances

    What: Best Buy, the leading North American specialty retailer of
        digital technology and entertainment products, will open its
        doors to the public and inaugurate the new 86th & Lexington
        store in Manhattan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.,
        Friday, July 18.

        R&B and hip-hop artist Ashanti will make a guest appearance at
        4 p.m. on July 18 to greet shoppers and autograph copies of
        her new album, Chapter II, which debuted at No. 1 on the
        Billboard Top 200 chart this week. The celebration continues
        with guest appearances at the new store by rock bands KISS and
        the Goo Goo Dolls on July 23 and July 25, respectively.

        The store, located at 1280 Lexington Ave., offers a selection
        of name-brand consumer electronics, personal computers, home
        entertainment products and software. Best Buy is expanding its
        presence in the greater New York area on July 18 by also
        opening stores in Huntington Station and Mount Vernon, N.Y.

    When: Friday, July 18
    10 a.m.
    Best Buy celebrates the opening of the new 86th & Lexington store
    in Manhattan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

    4 p.m.
    R&B artist Ashanti makes a guest appearance at the new store.

    Where: Best Buy
           1280 Lexington Ave.
           New York, N.Y.

    Interviews and Store Tours: TV crews, photographers and reporters
    are welcome.

    Call Joanna Gallai [phone] to arrange interviews or store
    tours, or for directions.

    Other In-Store Events:

    Sat., July 19
    1 - 3 p.m.
    New York Giant Michael Strahan greets guests, signs autographs.

    Sun., July 20
    11 a.m.
    The first 500 shoppers at the new store receive a free gift bag.

    1 - 3 p.m.
    Superhero Spider-Man signs autographs.

    Wed., July 23
    4 - 6 p.m.
    Rock band KISS appears to take photographs with shoppers.

    Fri., July 25
    Noon - 2 p.m.
    The Goo Goo Dolls greet guests and sign autographs.