Time Warner Cable opened a new retail store earlier this week on New York's Staten Island, where it is using demonstrations of advanced services to pitch consumers digital video, high-speed Internet and voice products.

Its 6,200-square-foot store could help Time Warner Cable compete with overbuilder Verizon, which uses retail stores that offer its Verizon Wireless service as part of the marketing strategy for its FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services. The cable MSO had support from local politicians at the grand opening, including Staten Island Boro president James Molinaro and Chamber of Commerce president Linda Baran.

Several Time Warner Cable affiliates are helping it draw local residents to the store, including Hallmark Channel, which is giving it a guitar autographed by Billy Ray Cyrus for a giveaway promotion at the store, and preschool network Sprout, which will sponsor a meet-and-greet with the Berenstain Bears. Cartoon Network will hold an autograph session at the end of the month with Daffy Duck, and TLC and truTV are also promoting the store.