'American Girl' Store Begins Party at Chesterfield Mall

Have you been there yet, the American Girl doll store and bistro in Chesterfield Mall?

The grand opening is Saturday and Sunday, with entertainment and gifts for young shoppers. The brand aims primarily at girls 9 to 11 years old, with dolls for ages as young as 3 years old.

On Wednesday, new store employees in Chesterfield's store were practicing their craft while staff from headquarters outside of Madison, WI, mingled about seeing how things were going.

The party room at the bistro already was scheduled for gatherings, and the counter and tables at the bistro were busy in the afternoon.

The 18-inch American Girl doll has her own seating that clamps to the table, for dining with her human family.

One of the busiest areas Wednesday was the hair salon for dolls. Customers may select a style for their doll from about 50 choices. The dolls sit in little barber chairs, wear a plastic cape, and get done up. All for a fee, depending on the complexity of the style.

Another option is having your doll's ears pierced, $14.

Another activity is choosing a design to put on matching T-shirts for you and your doll. 

The dolls have books and films that tell the stories of their lives as though they were alive. Some dolls represent historical eras with clothing and stories. Even more popular are modern-era styles and stories.

Shoppers can choose from about 45 dolls with a variety characteristics in combinations including hair color, eye shape, eye color, skin tone.