VARs On Hand For Microsoft's First New York Retail Store Opening

Community Connection

Microsoft gave away $1.5 million in software donations to three local organizations as part of the grand opening. Microsoft has a community relations manager in every store whose job it will be to bring non-profit and other organizations into the store, Ladd said. Microsoft recently launched a YouthSpark initiative to offer opportunities to kids and young adults, including job shadowing and other entertainment programs.

"The space itself is open to the community. We will have training sessions on products. Some nights you might come by and see the gaming community on Xbox Live," he said.