New Blackhawks Store Opens On Michigan Avenue

CHICAGO (CBS) -- With one day to go until they open their season on the road in Dallas, the Blackhawks have a store worthy of a two-time Stanley Cup champion at 333 N. Michigan Av.

Team Captain Jonathan Toews joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony on an upper level of the posh, two-level store, next to a display that includes game sweaters for each of the Hawks and greats such as Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito.

The old store was a small, ground-level storefront.

There was a genteel air to the grand opening, complete with finger food and wine from the Wirtz family's catering arm. But don't take that as a sign that the Blackhawks are going soft. General Manager Stan Bowman says the 2010 and 2013 Stanley Cup champions have an improved defense and plenty of punch.

"Now is when the real fun starts," he said. "You want to see how everything that you've planned out comes to be. Some things will end up better than you expected and some things, you'll have to make adjustments."

Joining Toews in the ceremony were Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, team President/CEO John McDonough, Bowman and Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).

The store is part of a $48 million renovation of the 1928 Art Deco-style building, which includes the renovation of office suites above the store and the restoration of some of the building's historical features.