Holiday shoppers at North Grand Mall may add a few extra bags to their pile as three new Gap stores make their debut in Ames just in time for Christmas.Gap, a trendy clothing store for teen-agers and adults, is scheduled to open the week of Dec. 8. Gap Kids and Baby Gap are opening shortly after Dec. 15 at North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave.”There was a huge push to open before Christmas,” said Michelle Hamer, manager of the new Gap stores. “I’m really excited about having the opportunity to work in the Ames community, and I feel Gap will be a great addition to North Grand Mall.”All three stores will be in the holiday spirit at opening time with Christmas decorations, Hamer said.”It is all about the holidays,” she said. “We will be focusing on holiday attire such as our wool chunky turtlenecks and satin capris as well as our basic denims and khakis.”Hamer also said scarves will be a big hit this holiday season, especially scarves that match sweaters.Kurt Carlsen, general manager of North Grand Mall, is excited about the mall’s newest addition. “I think Gap is going to be a wonderful addition to North Grand Mall,” he said. “I expect sales increases in all our stores because of Gap.”Carlsen said he expects the new stores to draw in people from outside cities. He said the addition will keep people from having to drive to stores and malls in Des Moines.Other stores within the mall also are looking forward to Gap’s grand opening even though the store will a close competitor.”We think it will be good for business,” said Randy Martinsdale, assistant manager of Eddie Bauer.Students, however, have mixed feeling about the store’s opening. “I’m excited to see a wider variety of stores focused at college-aged students,” said Angie Darrah, junior in management information systems.However, Jared Burns, senior in transportation and logistics, isn’t as enthusiastic. He said the store will not change his “shopping habits one bit.”