Verizon Wireless Opens First Retail Store In Portage, Indiana

PORTAGE, IND — In response to the growing demand for the company’s voice and data products and services, Verizon Wireless has opened its first retail store in Portage at 6149 U.S. Route 6. The new store offers consumers a high-tech, hands-on experience with the latest wireless voice, data, music and video services.

The state-of-the-art 3,300-square-foot store showcases a new and highly interactive retail concept that is a departure from Verizon Wireless’ traditional store design and is a blueprint for an entirely new approach to customer service. The new store integrates a number of innovative systems and operational enhancements intended to streamline the sales process and increase customer satisfaction. Among the store’s features are:

• Automated greeter kiosks where customers can check in and list their wireless needs so representatives can quickly assist them, allowing them to browse the store if there’s a wait, without losing their place in line.
• More than 75 working models of handsets, air cards and other devices for customers to handle and test.
• A Bill Payment Kiosk that enables customers to pay their bills quickly and easily using checks, cash or credit/debit cards.
• Customer Service and Technical Support departments, making it easy for customers to get account information and customer service and to address technical issues from trained in-store staff.

“The opening of our Portage store underscores our commitment to provide customers in northwest Indiana with greater accessibility to the exceptional products and services they deserve and expect,” said T.J. Fox, Region President–Verizon Wireless. “Demand for our wireless products and new, sophisticated services continues to grow as more consumers take advantage of continued network expansion in the area.”

Verizon Wireless’ Communications Store in Portage is managed by Nic Bontrager and is staffed by 10 employees with a combined 55 years of wireless industry experience. The store hours are Monday though Saturday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The store’s phone number is 219-762-5047.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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