The winner: not Annamarie [video added]

In the end, Spring-Ford came up at least a few clicks short.

Macy's announced the winner of its Million Dollar Makeover contest at noon today, and it was not Annamarie Chestnut. Customers and staff clustered around the Royersford restaurant owner at noon today to watch the "big reveal" on a laptop computer perched atop the breakfast counter, and when the video stream cut to footage of a school in Washington state, faces began to fall.

The presentation continued to show host Clinton Kelly informing schoolteacher Amy Ferrell of Wenatchee, Washington that she was the winner of the contest.

"Oh, I'm so happy for her," Chestnut said.

After a few quiet moments, the restaurant erupted in applause for Chestnut.

"This whole experience has been amazing," said Chestnut, who believes the media exposure generated by the contest has helped to energize the entire Royersford business community.

"Before all this, to be honest, I was kind of pessimistic [about doing business in Royersford], but this has changed my outlook," Chestnut said, expressing her appreciation for the support she'd received from the public during the contest.

The margin of victory for Ferrell was unknown. A spokesperson for Macy's said Wednesday that information on vote totals was not available and that she did not know if or when it would be released.

Live blog from Tuesday morning

Live-blogging the scene at Annamarie's in Royersford, where staff and customers are anxiously waiting to see whether Annamarie Chestnut has won the Macy's Million Dollar Makeover contest. The result will be announced at noon.

12:04pm: Annamarie did not win. Details to come.

11:42am: A CBS3 crew has arrived and is setting up its shot.

11:23am: "My picture was just on 'The View'," Annamarie says after checking her Facebook page. 

11:11am: Annamarie explains to some customers that she invited people on her Facebook page to come by the restaurant at noon. "That went out to 1,000 people! If they all come, I'm screwed!"

11:03am: Annamarie steps to the back of the kitchen to take a call. "Channel 10 wanted to know whether to come to the restaurant or the house," she explains afterward.

10:59am: A steady trickle of people stick their head in the door and glance inquiringly at Marge Hewitt, who works the register. "Twelve o'clock," she says, patiently. "I'll be glad when this is over," she tells me. 

10:42am: Customers are almost universally upbeat about the outcome. "I think she's going to win," one woman said as she paid her tab. "Of course she's going to win," said her companion.

10:27am: Annamarie wants you to know: Clinton Kelly is not coming to Royersford today! "My customers are driving me crazy," Annamarie says. "They think they're going to get autographs! Win or lose, he's not coming today."

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