Deerfield Beach, Fla. — Patrick Christie, P.E., has joined Deerfield Beach, Fla.-based Konover South, LLC, as director of construction. A Registered Professional Engineer with over 20 years of retail construction experience, Christie previously served as director of project management at CBRE | Skye Group in Miami and earlier as senior director of construction at Kimco Realty Corporation in New York. In his new role, he is responsible for all construction management activities on Konover South’s growing number of retail centers now under development in Florida and North Carolina. Christie is …
— By Blake Callahan — Essential steps to plan for success. There are many phases of a remodel project depending on the size of the project: planning, budgeting, demolition, construction/build-back and cleanup. There’s also a great deal of questions that go with each of these phases. I’m going to focus on the ever-important budgeting aspect of the remodel phase. It’s been determined that nearly 2/3 of companies surveyed did not make expected profit and three or four large budget fails is enough to put most companies out of business. …
Saginaw, Mich. — Hospitals across the globe are experiencing critical PPE supply shortages. Team members at Duro-Last®, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of custom-fabricated, thermoplastic roofing systems, found a way to help. Duro-Last engineers, product development and manufacturing staff united to fabricate and manufacture isolation gowns and face masks. Utilizing expertise in manufacturing flexible PVC and fabrics, the team went from prototype to production to delivery in 1 week. The gowns are made from flexible PVC making them water and fluid-repellant. The masks are washable and reusable, made from polyester …
Atlanta — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has provided an update on several temporary changes to its business in response to COVID-19. “As our communities battle COVID-19, The Home Depot is committed to providing the essential needs required to maintain homes and businesses while doing our best to protect our valued customers and associates. This has resulted in several temporary changes to our business as we look out for your safety and the safety of our associates,” says Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president of The …
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe®, a national fast-casual concept known for its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, will donate 100,000 smoothies nationwide to local healthcare workers and first responders to help support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In cafes across the country, the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family is working tirelessly to support our local communities, which are currently facing unprecedented hardship,” says Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. “Our safety is dependent upon the selfless, hard work of our local healthcare …
Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. will extend the temporary closure of its stores and business offices due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The company will continue to follow guidance from local, state and federal officials as it anticipates gradually reopening stores and offices in markets when it is safe to do so. As a result of its store closures, JCPenney plans to temporarily furlough the majority of store hourly associates, beginning April 2. During this time, the company will also require a smaller corporate workforce. Beginning April …
Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., the home décor superstore, has expanded its partnership with PICKUP, a last-mile logistics service, to offer contactless next-day local delivery of a full assortment of home décor and furniture. As of March 30, 2020, customers are able to order At Home products for delivery from 106 stores, with the service to be rolled out to 125 stores subject to local and state mandates. Next-day delivery starts at $10 and customers can place an order online or by calling their local At Home store. …
Vancouver, B.C. — Ready, a financial technology company that offers seamless self-pay and food ordering solutions to hospitality venues across North America, launches its “virtual ordering kiosks” to businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, waiving its standard fees until June 1 so the venue will pay no extra than the cost of the transaction to continue to operate. This technology allows restaurants to shift to a contactless on-premise pickup ordering model, supporting the safety of the community and allowing businesses to remain operational. “The safety of the …
— By Dr. Andrae Holliday, Sr. Accessibility requirements for your retail and restaurant parking lots. According to ADA.gov, more than 50 million Americans — 18% of our population — have disabilities. Each one is a potential customer. Studies show that once people with disabilities find a business where they can shop or get services in an accessible manner, they become repeat customers. Are your parking lots ADA compliant? If you’re unsure, you could be losing business or — worse still — facing lawsuits and fines. Since its inception …
San Francisco — As cities around the country shut down amid COVID-19 fears, few industries are feeling the effects quite as harshly as restaurants. The long term impact on restaurants and their staff is predicted to be devastating. In a matter of weeks, restaurants have gone from service as usual to, in many cases, a 100% loss in income. According to a report by the Job Quality Index (JQI), a research project from Cornell Law School and the Coalition for a Prosperous America, in the restaurant industry alone more than …