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BURLINGTON — Citizens of this great country, it is time to do your civic duty.

Get out your wallets. Ready those credit cards. Now, shop.

Before cutting a ribbon and unleashing shoppers to explore Alamance Crossing this past week, developers and Burlington city officials placed their hands on their hearts and stood at attention for the national anthem.

They pledged their country while facing a Qdoba Mexican Grill, with cars full of gawkers and anxious shoppers passing behind them.

Then they exchanged gifts, patted each other on the back and whipped out gold scissors to cut through the ribbon and officially open, amid a fall of confetti, the largest retail center in Alamance County.

Wednesday ’s grand opening was like a circus, with jugglers, clowns and a colorful catering tent. Children rode small trains around the freshly paved traffic circle in front of Dillard’s and visitors wandered about, agape, as though watching the greatest show on earth.

Amid all the tumult, workers were putting the final touches on a few stores. A small group of workmen, chatting in Spanish, lingered on one side of the glass doors to Victoria’s Secret. A fierce group of mannequins, with long hair and protruding hipbones under scraps of lacy fabric, beckoned them from the other side of the doors.

Across the shopping center’s main street, which splits it like the main drag of a small town, another worker leaned against the wall outside a row of clothing stores and watched a clown juggle. His bucket and mop sat nearby, forgotten for a minute.

Meanwhile, shoppers poured into new stores. They grabbed coupon sheets and exclaimed over discounts and deals — 15 percent off at Ann Taylor Loft? A pearl necklace and earrings tossed in free when you spend $100 at Coldwater Creek? Free coffee and chocolate at Barnes & Noble?

No way!

For a few shoppers, handouts weren’t enough. They brought newspaper ads and pre-clipped coupons in the family van. It appeared some shoppers had been counting down the days until they could hand their Visa card over the counter, slip the clerk a coupon, and make their first close-to-home purchase at New York & Company, Chico’s or The Children’s Place.

The 660,000 square-foot first phase of Alamance Crossing, a development that will comprise 840,000 square feet of stores, restaurants and entertainment upon completion in 2009, is like a small city. Strips of shops broken up by sidewalks give it a similar look to The Shops at Friendly Center or the outdoor portions of The Streets at Southpoint in Durham.

The stores are similar, too.

Burlington shares Talbots, Coldwater Creek and other retailers with The Streets and The Shops. Mimi’s Café, one of four anchor restaurants at The Shops, will open in Burlington soon. And Christopher & Banks, which will open this winter at The Shops, is doing business already off Interstates 40 and 85 and University Drive.

City officials seemed almost giddy this week at the prospect of a 142-acre retail development in their midst. Combined with University Commons, the big-box shopping center across the street, Alamance Crossing is remaking that portion of Burlington. Area officials hope it will be a major draw for consumers in the Triad and Triangle, bringing back some of the sheen Burlington had during the heyday of its outlets.

Perhaps that’s the reason for the over-the-top fanfare. Pledging allegiance to retail is surreal, but it’s not so strange when you consider the hopes this city, and its shoppers, have pinned on this project.

Friendly holds blood drive

Friendly Center is holding a blood drive Thursday, one in a series of events meant to commemorate the shopping center’s 50-year history.

The retail destination held a blood drive within a month of its opening in August 1957.

This week’s blood drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Friendly Center Auditorium.

Blood types including O positive, O negative and A negative are particularly needed. Donors must be in good health, have photo identification, be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.

First-time donors will receive gifts, and all donors will have the chance to win a trip to Walt Disney World for a group of four people.

People interested in giving blood can call 292-2789 or go to http://www.friendlycenter.com to make an appointment. Walk-in donors also are welcome.

Downtown stays up late

Downtown Greensboro’s retailers are maintaining their tradition of staying open late one Friday in every month.

Shops and galleries will offer deals until 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month through December.

Participating businesses include: Artmongerz, The Blue Diamond Gallery, The Tin Rooster, Area, East to West Outfitters, Ellenburg & Shaffer Glass Art Studio, Glitter’s, Thousands O’Prints, O’Kennedy’s, Anna Marie, Lyndon St. Artworks, Furr-Bulous Pet Boutique, Two Art Chicks, Ambleside Gallery, Elsewhere Artist Collaborative, Emmett Williams, Upstairs Gallery at Carpets by Direct, Just Be, Winterfire Craft Galleries and Glencoe Antiques.

Do you have retail news for Michelle Jarboe? Call 373-7075 or send e-mail to mjarboe@news-record.com.