Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft store manager Tim Thewes and Microsoft's general manager of the Heartland District, John Fikany, celebrate the grand opening of the 42nd Microsoft retail store at The Somerset Collection.
To cap a full day of celebration for the grand opening of the Microsoft store at The Somerset Collection in Troy on Friday, June 28, the tech giant went all out with giveaways … and a Grammy winner.
Gay-adored superstar Kelly Clarkson performed a free show in the old Kmart headquarters parking lot across from Nordstrom, where a few thousand fans squealed and fist-pumped once the singer hit the stage at 7 p.m. But just 25 minutes into the performance, a powerful storm forced officials to cut the concert short.
During the five songs that led up to the torrential downpour, including "My Life Would Suck Without You" and newer single "Catch My Breath," the original "American Idol" was in top form. She was jokey and candid, even as the winds picked up and blew up her skirt. "I can't help that!" she said, pulling it down. As she fled the stage, a fan tossed her a towel that she draped over her head. "We don't want anyone to get hurt," she said, urging fans to seek shelter.
Entry to the show was given to the first 1,350 people waiting outside the Microsoft store at Somerset earlier in the day at 10:30 a.m. (The first 100, many of whom camped out the night before, got a chance to meet Clarkson after the gig.)
During the ribbon-cutting that morning, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer – a native of Farmington Hills – was on hand to distribute a million dollars in grants to local nonprofits, including Oakland Family Services, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan and the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan.
The 3,000-square-foot store, located on the second level near Macy's, is Microsoft's first full line retail space in Michigan.
