Brian Bice, seated in a folding chair at the front of the line at the newest Microsoft Store, had been waiting since 6:30 p.m. April 25 for the store's opening the next morning at The Domain.
He had missed the opening of a Microsoft Store in his home state of Arizona but was not going to let that happen now that he resides in Austin.
"It's great it's opening here because Austin is a tech community," he said.
Bice was one of hundreds of anxious fans waiting in line for tickets to Saturday's Zac Brown Band concert at the store, which is located next to Macy's at 3309 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. 104, in the former Borders bookstore.
The Domain Microsoft Store is the 16th in the U.S. to open. The store offers a Kinect lounge where customers can try out the gaming console. Other products include Windows 7 PCs, Windows phones and Office 2010. Customers can also use the complimentary tech training on various products.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., Steven Guggenheimer, Microsoft's corporate vice president, gave $1.3 million in grants to three Central Texas charities: $300,000 went to Girlstart, which is located at 1400 W. Anderson Lane; $450,000 to Communities in Schools of Central Texas; and $550,000 to the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.
"It's all about community," he said.
To celebrate the store's opening, Microsoft is hosting events the rest of the week. Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith will be at the Microsoft Store at 5 p.m. April 26 to play Xbox with fans. The Zac Brown Band takes the stage at 2 p.m. April 28.