Just two more weeks until the much anticipated grand opening of the American Girl store at Alderwood Mall.

Today workers were finishing cement work outside while others unpacked boxes inside.

Huge crowds are expected on opening weekend — July 16 and 17 — so the store is implementing a ticketing system.

Each person who wants to enter will receive a ticket with an assigned group number. Each group will consist of up to 100 people, and there is no specific numbering within a group. When the store opens, groups will be announced in numerical order for admittance through the main entrance (near Macaroni Grill and P.F. Chang’s).

Tickets will be distributed beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, and 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 17. Doors open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

American Girl is a hugely popular line of dolls that feature historical and current characters.

The Lynnwood location will be a flagship experiential store offering the full lineup of dolls and accessories, a bistro that can be used for birthday parties, and a doll hair salon. There will be special events throughout the year. This is the first store in the Pacific Northwest.

You can make dining reservations online.