VIRTUAL MALL OPENS

VirtualEBakersfield.com, a virtual, 3-D shopping mall, has opened online.

The Web site has 3-D imagery and audio simulating the sounds of a mall to make roaming the virtual shopping center a realistic experience, said site founder Mark Stein.

Visitors may roam the main mall or choose from specialty malls (women, men, teen) or one of 250 city malls worldwide, including one focused on Bakersfield.

When shoppers click on the storefront doors in the mall, they are taken to the Web site of participating merchants, some of whom redeem coupons.

Shoppers can also create a “persona,” or personalized character, choosing from a number of hairstyles, facial features, skin tones, clothing and colors.