Microsoft opens new store with stars
Dina Rudick/Globe Staff
Lauren Wanthal of Andover gets to play video games with Celtics star Paul Pierce at the new Microsoft store at the Prudential Center.
A certain Harvard dropout (that’s you, Bill Gates) wasn’t there, but otherwise Microsoft Corp. pulled out all the stops for the opening of its new store Thursday in the Prudential Center. The main draw were the free tickets being given away to Saturday’s concert by Lenny Kravitz at Bank of America Pavilion.
Gregory Bialecki, secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, was there to congratulate Microsoft, which gave grants to the Boston Foundation, the Rodman Ride for Kids, and Junior Achievement of Northern New England.
Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce showed up to play Kinect with those hanging out.
As Los Angeles DJ Devin Lucien blasted club music, a tarp fell away to reveal dozens of employees in brightly colored shirts jumping and waving, some of whom had been flown in from a New Jersey Microsoft store to help with the crowd.
Microsoft also used the occasion to unveil a new corporate logo.
Marjorie Doirin, 17, from Revere, said she had waited since 5 a.m. for a chance to meet Kravitz at a concert. She got her wish, and a free Xbox to boot.
“I’ve never seen a Microsoft store before, so I was just like, oooh,” she said,
describing her reaction to the unveiling. “It’s awesome.”
About this blog
Mark Shanahan joined The Boston Globe in
2003, having worked previously at the Portland Press Herald, where he
covered City Hall, and the Lewiston Sun-Journal, where he was the
education reporter. A Northampton native and graduate of Bates College,
Shanahan enjoys the usual - books, music, movies, etc. - as well as the
unusual. shanahan@globe.com
Follow on Twitter: @GlobeNames, @MarkAShanahan
Meredith Goldstein has worked for the Globe since 2003, covering
everything from nightlife to New Kids. She keeps her eyes peeled for
celebrity juice, and also writes Love Letters, a Boston.com blog for
hopeful (and hopeless) romantics. Meredith chats about love problems
every Wednesday at 1 p.m. If you see Justin Timberlake or someone like
him at a local eatery, please e-mail her immediately. mgoldstein@globe.com
Follow on Twitter: @GlobeNames, @MeredithGoldste
- Doug Most is the Deputy Managing Editor/Features. dmost@globe.com
- Hayley Kaufman is the senior Living/Page One features editor. hkaufman@globe.com
- Additional contributors include the Boston.com sports and A&E staff
