DURHAM, N.C. — The countdown is on to the Friday opening of The Streets At Southpoint mall.

One of the flagship retailers, Nordstrom, gave WRAL a sneak peek inside. The 100-year-old company has a 21st century look.

"We like to build our stores as we would our homes -- create an environment where people feel comfortable and welcome," Nordstrom spokesperson Amy Jones said. "Part of that is having wide aisles so that people shopping as a family, or with children in strollers, can get through the store comfortably."

The chain, which originally opened as a shoe store in 1901, hopes to blend the old with the new at its first North Carolina store.

"We will have a shoeshine area over in our men's department. For $2.50 men and women can come in and get their shoes shined up while they're shopping for new ones," Jones said.

Other perks include a restaurant designed to keep hungry shoppers in the store.

Jones said that convenience is king. For example, Nordstrom customers are invited to go behind the makeup counter to get the items they want.

If an item is unique or trendy, Jones said Nordstrom will have it first. If a customer cannot find a specific item, Jones hopes customers will ask for it.

"We rely on our customers to tell us once we get the doors opened. We're very lucky that our customers tend to be very vocal," she said.

Nordstrom and The Streets At Southpoint officially open Friday at 10 a.m.