MUJI opens its first store in White Plains on Saturday, November 14, at The Westchester, the shopping center at 125 Westchester Avenue. The doors open at 11 a.m., and the retailer is marking the arrival with a grand opening celebration that runs through Sunday, November 15.

The Japanese company sells household goods, apparel, stationery, furniture, travel gear, food, and health and beauty products, most of it unbranded and designed in a plain, pared-back style. The White Plains store brings that catalog to Westchester County without a trip into Manhattan.

MUJI began in Japan in 1980 as a line of unbranded goods, and the name is short for Mujirushi Ryohin, which translates as no-brand quality goods. The stores are known for the same handful of things wherever they open: notebooks and gel pens, storage boxes, linen and cotton basics, aroma diffusers, and a small grocery shelf of snacks and tea. The White Plains location joins the brand's existing stores in New York City.

What happens on opening weekend

Saturday begins with a ribbon cutting and a taiko drum performance. MUJI USA says it will hand out free gift bags filled with MUJI items and products from local businesses, in limited quantity and first come, first served. Shoppers who spend $50 or more get a MUJI Westchester tote bag while they last, and the same $50 purchase enters them in a lucky draw event in the store.

Food comes from four local vendors across the weekend: Don Carvajal Cafe, Ice Cream Social, Badass Bagel and Mandy Bean.

There is also a gift card drawing. Anyone who registers for the free opening on Eventbrite is entered to win one of five $100 MUJI gift cards, and three more winners are drawn from guests who register with a valid student or faculty email address. Winners redeem at the register during opening weekend. Students and faculty with a school ID also get 15 percent off their purchase during the celebration.

Getting there

The Westchester sits just off Interstate 287 in downtown White Plains, with parking in the center's garages. It is about a 15-minute walk from the White Plains Metro-North station on the Harlem Line, and the Bee-Line bus hub on the same block as the station serves routes across the county.

The store's regular hours after opening weekend follow the shopping center's schedule. Check the MUJI USA site or The Westchester's store directory before a visit.

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