Fayette

shoppers have a new place to call home as the Belk store

opens its doors for shopping today at the Fayette

Pavilion shopping center.

On Monday

night, the store held a fundraising shopping event that

drew oohs and ahs from shoppers catching their first

glance at the store.

The event

benefits the cardiac services operation at Fayette

Community Hospital and store manager Ruth Gellerstedt

said everybody had a wonderful time at the event.

"It

really was the social event of the year," she said.

Shoppers

got to wander through 20,000 more square feet of selling

space than the old store and got a first glance at some

of the new lines at the store.

"We

now have a complete bridal registry line, with china and

crystal, including such names as Waterford, Gorham,

Wedgewood and Lenox," said Gellerstedt.

Shoppers

will also discover a complete Polo store for men, along

with a greatly expanded shoe selection, featuring such

leading names as Cole-Haan.

The store

also features the only Colorwall display by Estee Lauder

in Fayette County.

"It's

the real deal," she said.

Shoppers

who are on the look-out for petite sizes will also be

happy with the store's expanded petite collection.

Gellerstedt said the store will also add new lines for

the fall, including Lauren for Women.

The store

opens for shopping at 10 a.m. today.