PEABODY – Employees were busy stocking shelves, cleaning floors and outfitting mannequins Friday morning in preparation for Nordstrom?s grand opening on Friday, April 17.Shoppers of the 138,000-square foot retailer are sure to be impressed, if not with its expansive selection of designer handbags and neck ties, than most certainly with its high level of customer service. It seems this Seattle-based chain has every aspect of shopping covered.At no other store on the North Shore will you be able to get your shoes shined, your skirt hemmed, your make-up done and watch a sports game, all while sipping on a chilled glass of Guenoc Chardonnay or an ice cold Sam Adams Boston Lager, whichever you prefer.But, if it?s shopping you want to do, well there?s plenty of options. With an inventory of tens of thousands of pairs of shoes, 1,200 handbags, 500 lipstick shades, 200 belts, 1,800 men?s dress shirts and nearly 1,000 neckties, shoppers have the pick of the litter when it comes to today?s latest fashions. It won?t be hard to find popular designer products, such as Bobbi Brown cosmetics, Jimmy Choo shoes, Michael Kors handbags or Calvin Klein jeans.Trying out clothes can generally be a hassle, but Nordstrom has even tried to make that aspect of shopping more enjoyable by creating large, spacious, carpeted and furnished dressing rooms full of personality. With funky mirrors, chairs and paintings, those waiting will be able to relax while their shopping partner does their best at putting on a mini-fashion show.And, after you?ve worked up quite the hunger going from one department to the next, guests can grab a bite to eat at one of two in-store restaurants. Ebar, located on the first floor, offers a variety of hot and iced gourmet coffees, smoothies, fresh-baked pastries, cookies and biscotti. Upstairs, Cafe Bistro offers a fuller menu, featuring soups, salad, sandwiches, various entrees, and dessert. They even have a kid?s menu, as well as a selection of beer and wine.?If they have to leave the store to go eat, then they probably won?t come back and shop with us,” said John Bailey, Nordstrom?s Senior Public Relations Specialist.Visitors will have a chance to get a sneak peak of the mall before it opens to the public at its opening gala on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. For $75, guests will enjoy lavish hors d?oeuvres, dinner buffets, cocktails, live entertainment, and an opportunity to shop the racks before anyone else. Proceeds from the formal event will benefit three local charities, The Friends of Beverly Hospital, North Shore Music Theatre, and the Essex County Community Foundation. For more information, contact 978-236-1600.