Mike learns the answer to the question - What happens to the VP of Merch. and Ops. when he wears one of last year's mystery pins on his lanyard in front of a group of ravenous pin traders? As a few guests get in a trade before entering the shop.
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Mike Griggs Interview - Merch. and Ops. All in One Really Nice Guy
After the excitement of the opening I was able to speak to the VP of Merchandise and Store Operations for the Disneyland Resort, Mike Griggs -

MG - Thank you.

MG - In terms of the Premiere location?

MG - For about three months, it was very quick..

MG - I’m very pleased with what the team was able to do.

MG - And that would be because why?

MG - Likewise. And the reason for not having chairs is so that we can allow all of our day guests to be able to enjoy pin trading. One of the things that we found at Showcase was the fact that we had people parking in the chairs for most of the afternoon and not allowing other folks to come and trade back and fourth. And, actually we took our tip from Walt Disney World, who has no chairs at any of their pin trading stations. So, when we opened up this location, we wanted to have cocktail height tables so that folks can stand and enjoy.

We have plenty of seats out here (pointing to the cement benches under the old Rocket Rods beam) if the guests choose to, you know, want to go out here and want to sit down. And, actually in that space, I want to make sure we keep the flow so that everybody can have fun.

MG - Yes, absolutely.

MG - Yes, if you go through Showcase now you’ll find that it’s a Halloween store. Actually, what we’re doing with Showcase, just as a side note… Halloween, obviously, is our first venture but we think that that really should be the what’s new store on Main Street. After Halloween it’s going to turn into a holiday store for Christmas. It should be very fun.

MG - That’s correct.

MG - Yes, that’s correct.

MG - Yes, yes. Absolutely.

MG - What I would love for the traders to understand about this new venue is that we’ve really done this based on a lot of guest focus groups, especially pin traders. We really have tried to deliver the biggest experience that will affect all the guests. And, I think that what is important is all the pin traders that we have that are currently here, is to really help us to show how much fun this is with all of our day guests. Because, that’s really where the opportunity to really share the magic and have a great guest experience is.

MG - This was all set up to be a fun experience for the guests and the cast members… And I think that any time that you have a collectables business, sometimes you know, things can take a different route and I think that that’s why we want to make sure that we just make this a fun experience.

MG - Absolutely. And, we are going to make this live on as long as the guests want it to live on.

MG - You and me both. Absolutely.

MG - You’re very welcome, and thanks for your support.