Christmas time in NYC means lines. All over the city this past Saturday, there were people standing in lines.
They lined up on the 8th floor at the Macy's in Herald Square in order to see Santa. They lined up along 5th Avenue in order to see Saks' holiday windows. They even lined up at Rockefeller Center in order to have their pictures taken in front of the Christmas tree.
Photo by Jim Hill
But you wanna know where I found the longest line in NYC on Saturday? It was actually outside of FAO Schwarz's flagship store right across from the Plaza. The line started at the store's entrance on 5th Avenue, ran down the block along 58th and then turned the corner onto Madison.
"And why were all these New Yorkers patiently standing in line outside of FAO Schwarz?," you ask. For a good many of these folks, it was because they wanted to get inside and reach the Muppet Whatnot Workshop.
Photo by Jim Hill
And what's a Whatnot? To quote Kermit the Frog, "Whatnots are those zany-looking extras you see in every Muppet production." And at the FAO Schwarz flagship store, you can create a Muppet of your very own by first picking a body color.
Copyright 2008 FAO Schwarz / the Muppet Studios, LLC
You then select a type of eyes, a style of hair. Yes, you even get to pick your nose (The people who work at the Muppet Whatnot Workshop just love that joke). Now select an outfit from the 14 types that are currently available ...
Copyright 2008 FAO Schwarz / the Muppet Studios, LLC
Now make one of the Workshop Muppet Makers aware of your selections and then watch as your Whatnot ...
Photo by Jim Hill
... is brought to life.
Photo by Jim Hill
Of course, if you're not the creative type, you can always select a pre-made Muppet from the Whatnot wall display.
Photo by Jim Hill
And if you want to commemorate your visit to FAO Schwarz's Muppet Whatnot Workshop, you can even pick up a souvenir t-shirt.
Photo by Jim Hill
What's that you say? You don't see yourself going to NYC anytime soon but you really, really, REALLY want your very own Muppet Whatnot? Not to worry. You can always order one through FAO Schwarz's Online Whatnot Designer (Which launches on February 15, 2009).
Or -- given how well the Muppet Whatnots have been selling at the FAO Schwarz flagship store (According to what Disney insiders have told me, sales of these make-your-own Muppets have far exceeding projections. They're literally selling at twice the rate expected) -- you might want to keep an eye out ...
Photo by Jim Hill
... for a Muppet Whatnot Workshop may be coming to an FAO Schwarz near you very, very soon. Perhaps as early as the 2009 holiday season. But you didn't hear that from me.
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Happy Holidays!
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