The date has been set for the much-anticipated grand opening of Washington’s first American Girl store at Alderwood Mall. The festivities are planned for the weekend of July 16 and 17. The event will include crafts, doll drawings and much more.

The Lynnwood store is planned as a “destination experience.” Families can dine in the store’s casual 55-seat Bistro, which will also host birthday parties. Reservations are now being accepted through the end of August.

Girls will also have a chance to treat their dolls to a new hairdo in the doll hair salon or design doll-sized T-shirt in the “Creativi-Tees” boutique. A variety of girl-and-mom-friendly events and programs will also be offered throughout the year.

Visitors to the store will find the complete assortment of the company’s popular historical and contemporary dolls, along with doll outfits, accessories, girl-sized clothing and a variety of American Girl books.

The company is now hiring staff for its Alderwood store, including sales, stock persons, loss prevention, salon associates and restaurant staff. A job fair will be held this Wednesday through Saturday, May 25-28, at the American Girl temporary office (suite 350) on the east side of the mall across from the Disney Store.

The store will be located in the outdoor Village area.