This past week I had the pleasure of touring the then unopened JCPenney location in the Manhattan Mall.  The store has since secretly opened (on 7/23 at 9am).  Doorbuster deals start 7/31 (yet unpublished).  When I returned home that day, I also found a $10 "sneak preview savings certificate" in my mailbox.  If you time your visit just right, you may be able to snag quite a few deals!  Here's what I learned during my time in the store:

• The store is overstaffed with 500 employees 'because Manhattanites don't like to wait'
• It will open with the same sales & specials, in accordance with the promotional calendar nationwide
• The Sephora employees are true Sephora employees and cannot be pulled to any other department
• A very exciting (yet unannounced) designer collaboration will be announced this Fall
• The shopping bays are less deep than other store locations - makes it easy to get in, get what you need and get out

Overall, the Manhattan Mall JCPenney location seems like it's going to be a great resource for those looking to find affordable style quickly.  I'll be heading in this weekend to check out the home section (which I didn't have time to see).  Here's hoping I can put my 'sneak preview savings certificate' to good use.  For your own personal tour of the store, check out the gallery below.