New American Girl Doll Store in Cool Springs Will Have a Restaurant

If you're the target demographic — high-end Mattel dolls and the people compelled to buy them — you've probably already heard the

that toy juggernaut

is opening a retail store in Cool Springs.

Did you know that the American Girl "experiential retail" experience also includes dining? I know this because I worked a few blocks from the flagship American Girl store in Chicago for two years and saw hordes of customers (usually moms and daughters, but not always) lining up to have afternoon tea with their dolls. The dolls get their own scaled-down cups and saucers so they can sip invisible tea while the humans polish off petite sandwiches and glasses of American Girl signature pink lemonade.

And apparently American Girl's "doll-friendly dining" has evolved into heartier fare. The store coming to CoolSprings Galleria will feature a 25-seat bistro. A sample menu [PDF] showing what's available at the American Girl store in Atlanta includes items like a Bistro Burger, a Cuban Chicken Panini and a full page of desserts like the signature Chocolate Mousse Flowerpot. There's a brunch menu, too.

The website tells us that possessing your own American Girl is not a prerequisite for the dining experience: "And don’t worry if your girl forgot her doll — we always have extra dolls available to dine with you." The "fun and casual" bistro is also available for birthday parties.

The 9,000-square-foot American Girl store in CoolSprings Galleria is scheduled to open in spring 2015.