I always have a love-hate relationship when we get new stores here in Winnipeg.  Yes, I’m obviously excited that we are getting new retailers that most times are some of my favourite stores, but it makes travelling less enjoyable.  My kind of sightseeing mostly revolves around shopping.

One of my all-time favourite retailers ever is H&M.  I’ve been to the chain all around the world; if there is an H&M location in a city I’m in, I’ll make sure that I pay a visit.  Heck, when I was coming home from B.C. in July we had a three-hour stopover in Calgary so we hitched a $30 cab ride to Cross Iron Mills just to stop in at H&M.  I’ve been to H&M all across Canada and internationally – Vegas, New York, London, Paris, Rome – you name it, I’m seriously H&M obsessed.

Winnipeg seems to always be last on the map of places to get popular retailers, and you know what?  I’m totally fine with that.  It makes travelling more enjoyable for me (who wants to go to the Colosseum in Rome when you can go shopping??!), so when I heard we were getting an H&M location here at Polo Park Mall the news was bittersweet.  Obviously I was excited, but now I won’t feel the need to binge shop, although I have to admit that I travel quite often so I find I’m in an H&M location pretty much every few months.  And not only that, I’ve been to so many locations that I know where the good ones are and the ones that aren’t worth the travel.  My favourite location?  Obviously the one at the Forum Shops in Vegas, and believe it or not, the Red Deer, Alberta location. Not gonna lie, I would say the majority of my closet is H&M.

If you know me personally, you will know that I’m a huge sucker for store openings.  I went to the Apple store opening, Forever 21 (where the first 300 in line got a $21 GC), IKEA (I was there at 4 a.m. just to score a $75 GC), Victoria’s Secret, and more.  Honestly, nothing beats the rush of a new store opening, so I was super excited to attend the H&M pre-launch VIP party last night at their first-ever Winnipeg location in Polo Park mall.  The retailer holds 25,000 square feet in the mall on the main floor and features clothing for ladies, men, teens, and kids, as well as accessories.  The pre-launch was a fun affair with music, cocktails, and obviously shopping.  And lots of it.  We all got 25 per cent off our purchases so obviously my friend and I went a little crazy.  I do have to say that this isn’t the best location I’ve been to.  There were lots of basic items and the things that I saw online that caught my eye, our location didn’t have.  That’s alright though, there’s still something to get excited about when I leave Winnipeg, right?!

The store officially opens today at 11 a.m. and to celebrate, the first 300 customers in line will receive a special access to fashion pass that is valued at $10 to $300.  If you don’t make it opening day, I read that they are offering students and teachers 15 per cent off with a valid ID.  Promo ends on September 14, 2014.

Polo Park is currently undergoing a huge renovation that will bring more retailers to the mall, including Urban Outfitters, Anthopology, Nine West, and more.  Now I just hope we don’t get a Zara or any luxury retailers, then there would be no need to travel :P.

Will you be stopping by H&M Winnipeg this week?  Got a wish list ready?

Like what you read? Check out these related posts.

• #amazefesteurope – Ooh la London!
• #amazefesteurope – The Generator London hostel guide!
• #amazefesteurope – Paris, s’il vous plait!
• #amazefesteurope – Firenze fierce