Tampa, Fla. — MaintenX International, a Tampa-based provider of facility maintenance services, enjoyed three great days of sharing best practices and industry trends at the 2020 Restaurant Facilities Management Association (RFMA) annual conference in Denver. Bill Schaphorst, MaintenX’s vice president of business development, was awarded RFMA 2020 “Vendor of the Year.” “This is the most significant career milestone I have achieved,” says Schaphorst. “I am humbled to be recognized by people I admire for doing a job I love.” The Vendor of the Year is awarded by the board of …
— By Trent Limban — The right products for cost-efficient landscape curb appeal. Maintaining your landscaping is an important factor in keeping your customers coming back as well as attracting new customers. The best and easiest way to maintain the landscaping for each of your stores is to pick products, such as mulch, plants and fertilizer, that are low maintenance and that work best in the climate where the store is located. This will ensure cost-effective solutions that are long term and low maintenance. Having picture perfect landscaping …
— By Alex Tostado — Yankee Candle debuts its new store concept, “World Home Fragrance,” to create a personalized fragrance experience. In summer 2019, The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. and FRCH Nelson sat down to discuss how to enhance the way consumers apply fragrance in their homes. Judy Jasper, director of retail activation for The Yankee Candle Co. Inc., and Mari Miura, senior interior designer of FRCH Nelson, worked closely to roll out a new theme for the retailer, World Home Fragrance, at Natick Mall near Boston on …
New York City — Modell’s Sporting Goods has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The fourth-generation, family-owned retailer will close all of its 153 stores throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The New York City-based sporting goods, athletic footwear, active apparel and fan gear retailer was founded in 1889. The company will begin liquidation sales Friday, March 13 and plans to continue operating its online platform. Modell’s …
Hilton Head Island, S.C. — Slapfish, a fast-growing, fast-casual seafood restaurant, continues expansion in the Southeast with its first stand-alone location in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The restaurant is a conversion of a former convenience store site. Building on the Pooler, Ga., grand opening late last year, Hilton Head marks the second Slapfish location owned and operated by the Lomasney family franchise group. The Lomasneys converted a former convenience store into the modern restaurant space, including a walk-up ordering window to take advantage of Hilton Head’s expansive biking and walking …
Elma, N.Y. — This month, Made in America Store is opening a permanent location in Niagara Falls, N.Y., according to Mark Andol, founder and CEO. Previously, Made in America was open only on a seasonal basis in Niagara Falls. The store had rented space on a seasonal basis at 360 Rainbow Blvd. in the Falls for the past 7 years. Now launching its 8th season, Made in America Store is located on the second floor of One Niagara. The store features 100% American-made products and is a magnet for both …
Milwaukee — The National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT) Conference and Expo and Clean Buildings Expo (CBE) show management team wishes to express its deepest concerns for everyone impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The show management team has monitored the situation closely, and due to recent developments and facts, the NFMT and CBE shows scheduled for March 17-19 in Baltimore have been rescheduled. NFMT will now take place August 11-13 and CBE will take place August 11-12 at the Baltimore Convention Center. NFMT and CBE thank their attendees, exhibitors and …
Perris, Calif. — Farmer Boys, the Southern California-based fast casual concept known for its award-winning burgers and exceptional service, is celebrating the grand opening of its Perris, Calif., restaurant this month. This marks the company’s 100th restaurant. “Almost 40 years and 99 restaurant openings later, we are overjoyed to open the 100th Farmer Boys restaurant in the city where we first opened in 1981,” says Larry Rusinko, vice president and chief marketing officer for Farmer Boys. “This grand opening event marks a special homecoming for Farmer Boys and it’s the …
Westlake, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA) has appointed Peter J. Crage as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective immediately. Crage succeeds William E. Myers, who has resigned from the company. “Peter joins TA with experience directing large and complex financial organizations in the hospitality, entertainment and foodservice industries,” says Jonathan M. Pertchik, managing director and CEO of TA. “He has a strong record leading transformational change, achieving operational excellence and driving profitability in dynamic environments. In addition, Peter brings a ‘can-do,’ high-energy attitude, which is …
San Diego — Blair Sign Programs, a leading national sign and experiential design company, is marking its 25th anniversary. The company has achieved a reputation for excellence as a design/build company with a deep design inventory of custom sign and graphic solutions for national retail and commercial retail development. “Since our founding in 1995, Blair Sign Programs has experienced the evolutionary and, recently, revolutionary changes within the national retail and commercial retail environments,” says Scott Blair, the company founder and president. “We, too, have evolved and have experienced many exciting …