Will definitely make it one of the days this weekend. Old Orchard is my preferred mall in Chicagoland, so I'm pleased to see this store arrive. I plan on making a reservation around December (holiday gift to myself) for hopeful delivery timeframe around October 2013. David
I got the email today as well; not sure I can make it - lots of activities with the kids, the marathon, etc. @Wattson, I think that if you made a reservation in December you would probably get the delivery a little sooner than October - based on the ramp up and the number of reservations, I would guess July, but it obviously depends on what happens with the European deliveries.
I visited the Tesla Store in Skokie. I can confirm that it is a Tesla Store. Compared to the Oak Brook store, which is wide and shallow, the Skokie store is narrow and deep. It is considerably larger. I believe the could conceivably have three vehicles in there if they wanted. It was populated by about 6 or 7 20-something sales people in there. I need to get one of those branded grey/red sales rep polo-style shirts. On static display is a Signature Series P85 in Signature red with white leather (VIN 5YJSAAP6CFR00110). Software is not up to date; I believe it is version 1.7.36, and there is a nice yellow alarm clock on the top of the 17 inch display that when touched prompts you to set a time for firmware update. Maybe this will fix the "floating HD Camera" video that I was able to duplicate today. For the test drive, there is a white/black leather. I didn't get an opportunity to see it, although I could have scoped out the garage at the mall to find it. I signed up for a test drive to get yet another opportunity to drive it, take a look at the black leather, and to experience the drive and display at night time (signed up for an 8pm test drive). I didn't learn much that isn't already known by TMC. The only little nugget that I got is the Google map does now show traffic information. Maybe most already know this. I snapped some shots; there are some pictures of the jump seats since some people haven't seen those yet.
At the risk of offending anyone, some of them were a little wet behind the ears. I know they need to open more stores and hire new staff, but, yes, some of them were "new." I also am wondering about the "scruff" some of the men are wearing. I've noticed this at Oak Brook, D.C., and now Skokie. I realize Tesla is cool and all that jazz, but the market is $60k and up. . .. Sounds like petty complaining; I'm not the most well-dressed or always clean and shaven, but I am when I am at work.