Just two weeks from the grand opening of the region's first Nordstrom store, officials at the Seattle retailer are hoping for a good reception even as the financial markets send shivers through consumers.

"It's a tough time for everybody," said spokeswoman Brooke White, who was in town yesterday to host a media preview of the 138,000-square-foot store on the site of the former Lazarus-Macy's store at Ross Park Mall.

The store has already had a strong reception for a bra fitting event today that benefits charity. Officials had hoped to draw at least 300 women but about 400 have signed up. "We basically sold that out," she said.

Nordstrom is joining a group of upscale retailers that have opened in the mall in recent months, including Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Kate Spade. Just down the hallway yesterday, jeweler Tiffany's hosted a breakfast in its new, 5,700-square-foot store.

"We actually think this is a great spot to be in," said Ms. White, as she noted the retailer began looking at real estate in the Pittsburgh area at least 10 years ago.

An earlier plan to put a store Downtown didn't work out, but the spot at Ross Park Mall opened up after the parent company of Macy's, which also owned Lazarus, acquired the parent company of Kaufmann's. Mall owner Simon Property Group, in turn, used the coming of Nordstrom to attract other tenants.

This hasn't been the best week for many retailers. Nordstrom, earlier in the week, reported sales in established stores fell 9.6 percent in September, and other department stores also posted declines.

Macy's yesterday said same-store sales had dipped 5.8 percent in August and September combined, forcing it to lower earnings projections for the fiscal year from $1.70 to $1.85 per share to $1.30 to $1.50.

Even if people aren't in the mood to buy an entirely new wardrobe, Ms. White hopes they'll come check out the new store when it opens and maybe get coffee at the coffee bar or have lunch in the second-floor cafe. Perhaps picking up a new lipstick or pair of shoes might give a customer a boost without breaking the budget.

"At least meet us," she urged. "When times get better, maybe we can take care of you."

Whatever happens when the store opens Oct. 24, Nordstrom will take it in stride. The company doesn't officially hold ribbon cuttings, Ms. White said. They had one in the late 1970s at a California store and nobody came. Now the store staff just lines up to applaud anyone who does attend.

Just a week ago -- the same day that the U.S. House was voting for the second time on the bailout package -- Nordstrom opened a new store in Tacoma, Wash. Ms. White said the staff wasn't sure what to expect, but that 2,000 people turned out.