The grand opening for Champaign’s first H&M store is set for noon on Sept. 27.
Customers who “line up early” could win $500 (restrictions apply), according to H&M’s Facebook post about the opening. Those who “bring in garments before the store opens at noon” will receive 15 percent off their next purchase and be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card.
H&M announced in January that it would fill a space formerly occupied by Gymboree, Banana Republic and Forever 21 (which moved to a new spot).
The Champaign location — which will include H&M’s Kids collection — will join Peoria and Springfield as the company’s downstate locations. H&M has 17 Chicago-area locations plus Rockford.
The new H&M location will offer Champaign residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies, men and teens, as well as separate “store within a store” sections for accessories. The Market Place location will also carry the H&M Kids collection for newborns to 14-year-olds.
The opening gives Market Place a popular option after losing some high-profile tenants recently, including Bergners, which closed this summer and LOFT, which closed Jan. 27. Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer and The Limited closed in 2017.