KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The opportunity to be in a photo with SpongeBob SquarePants drew thousands of families to Nebraska Furniture Mart here and hundreds more to its flagship store in Omaha, Neb.
     Partnering with manufacturer Lea Inds., NFM helped launch the new Lea Nickelodeon Rooms youth bedroom collection at retail, offering free photo ops with the person- size character.
     The event started at the retailer's giant store in Omaha Friday, Aug. 13, with a ribbon cutting and then a charity event before a threehour meet-and-greet photo session.Consumers snake through the electronics area of Nebraska Furniture Mart in Kansas City, Kan., waiting for their photo op with SpongeBob SquarePants. The event this past weekend drew more than 3,000 families to NFM’s stores in Kansas City and in Omaha, Neb.
     It moved to the Kansas City showroom for another charity event Saturday and then a Sunday photo session, which drew some 2,400 families, said Bob Batt, executive vice president of the Omaha-based retailer, part of Berkshire Hathaway's furniture division. As consumers stood in line waiting for their photo opportunity, the retailer provided entertainment including coloring stations, music and movies, and served Krabby Patty candies.
     Batt called it a "perfect family deal" and said he only recently realized the appeal of SpongeBob and the other Nickelodeon characters including Dora the Explorer.