RALEIGH — The wait forCrate and Barrelto open its doors is over. The new home furnishing store has arrived, and shoppers are not the only ones who are celebrating.

With its hand-painted housewares and fashionable furniture, Crate and Barrel offers something for everyone. And on its opening day atCrabtree Valley Mall, it seemed just about everyone was there.

The overwhelming interest in the store is one reason Crate and Barrel chose Raleigh as its first location in the Carolinas. But it was not the only reason.

"Over the last couple of years, we've researched the area around the Research Triangle and it seems that Crabtree Valley Mall is definitely the place to be," says store manager Andy Rogers.

Two other malls will soon give Crabtree some competition, includingStreets at Southpointin Durham, which will be anchored byNordstrom-- the area's most upscale department store.

Crabtree's strategy is to load up on smaller, upscale, specialty shops to give shoppers a reason to keep coming.

"I always say you can shop for a white shirt at a lot of different places, but when you're really looking for that unique gift, when you really want to shop, you're going to have to come to Crabtree Valley Mall," says mall spokesperson Michelle Cely.

North Hills is considering a major expansion, and the Triangle Town Center is expected to open next year off of U.S. 1 in North Raleigh. Southpoint is scheduled to open in the fall of 2001.