Photos: Grand opening of Avalon in Alpharetta

Metro Atlanta

Photos: Grand opening of Avalon in Alpharetta

Photos: Grand opening of Avalon in Alpharetta

The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

David Belle Isle, Mayor of Alpharetta, was one of several speakers during the grand opening ceremony. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The parade of merchants makes its way to the main fountain. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Frank Young and Rosemary Dashiell-Young, from Roswell, find themselves surrounded by the parade of merchants as they bundle under a blanket to keep warm. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The Atlanta Vocal Project sings "Be Our Guest" as the development officially opens. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Laura Kelley, 9, reaches for confetti released as the development officially opens. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The line for the grand opening of Soft Surroundings extended around the corner from the store. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The line for the grand opening of Soft Surroundings extended around the corner from the store. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Kadie Brown (right) hands out gift bags at the opening of Soft Surroundings. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Lou & Grey is one of several stores that are new to Georgia. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Lou & Grey is one of several stores that are new to Georgia. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Alexa Mulrooney hands out leis at Tommy Bahama's. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The Cosmetic Market at Avalon is one of several stores that are new to Georgia. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Valet parking is set up in front of Club Avalon, the concierge's clubhouse. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Tara Rose Morrison puts some finishing touches on Anthropologie. The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

David Belle Isle, Mayor of Alpharetta, was one of several speakers during the celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta

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The grand opening celebration Oct. 30, 2014 at Avalon, North American Properties' $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, included a VIP breakfast, speeches, a parade of merchants, music performances, and chef demonstrations. New to Georgia stores include Soft Surroundings, Cosmetic Market and Lou & Grey. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

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