L.L. Bean Grand Opening Set for Sept.

L.L. Bean has targeted Saturday, Sept. 22, for the grand opening celebration for its .

Laurie Brooks, a senior public relations representative for the company, said the event- and giveaway-filled opening will cap a flurry of activity over the past few months since company officials identified North Hampton as an ideal place for an outlet store.

"We're really excited about being in such a quaint coastal town," said Brooks. "It’s going to be really fun to have L.L. Bean right there.

"Our outlet store group is always looking at the potential for new outlet stores as current outlet stores leases are up or there is a need to expand in the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. This is a very attractive site to us because it's right there right off of Route 1 and is on the way heading into Maine. It's just a perfect opportunity for us to have a new outlet store in New Hampshire."

L.L. Bean, which is based in Maine and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, currently has four outlet stores and one retail store in New Hampshire. The North Hampton store, which will comprise two of the units in the 35 Lafayette Road plaza, will be the 33rd store for a company that also has locations in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Brooks said a special sale and event will be held on Sept. 22 to celebrate the opening. In addition to a visit from L.L. Bean's Boot Mobile, the company will give away free samples of Muddy Bean Boots Ice Cream, a special ice cream made for L.L. Bean by Gifford's, as well as games, face painting and a kayak package giveaway.

The North Hampton location will have a 10-year lease, according to Brooks. She said the retail space will be about 8,000 of the total 10,000 square feet — about average for an L.L. Bean outlet store — generated by merging two existing units in Lafayette Crossing.

Brooks said "this is one of the fastest setups" the company has done for a new outlet store, as its something they've "been looking at for just a few months now."

"We are just getting the ball rolling on this," said Brooks.

Hiring has just begun, and Brooks said roughly 30 to 40 people will be hired for the North Hampton store, which is the second and final new L.L. Bean store planned for 2012. Brooks said "about five" of those positions will be full-time, managerial positions, while the remainder will be part-time or seasonal staff.

Brooks said an emphasis will be placed on hiring individuals from the local and surrounding areas.

More information about the job openings can be found on the official L.L. Bean website, as well as on various job sites and social media networks.