Rochelle Park, N.J. — Avenue Stores LLC will close all 222 of its Avenue stores across 33 states after failing to procure a buyer for the plus-size women’s clothing chain. It was not made immediately clear if the retailer will continue to operate its e-commerce platform. Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management acquired Avenue Stores LLC in bankruptcy in 2012 when the retailer operated 433 stores. Avenue will hold liquidation sales in all of its stores, offering 30% to 50% off clothes, accessories and even store fixtures. Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon …
Chicago — Offshore, a 52,300-square-foot rooftop deck, has opened on the third floor of Chicago’s Navy Pier. The Guinness Book of World Records has named the establishment “the world’s largest rooftop deck.” KOO, a Chicago-based architecture and commercial interior design firm, designed Offshore to allow guests experience a luxurious “cruise” for the price of a meal or drink. The deck includes a bar, kitchen, terraces, seven fire pits, an entertainment and gaming area and multiple gathering spaces. Culinary direction for Offshore is led by Executive Chef Michael Shrader. Modern American …
Franklin, Tenn. — More than five retail chains are opening stores for every retailer that is closing stores in 2019, according to new research from IHL Group. This is up from 3.7 in 2018. The company also reports that the number of chains adding stores in 2019 has increased 56%, while the number of closing stores has decreased by 66% in the last year. “Retail Renaissance – True Story of Store Openings/Closings” reviewed 1,660 retail chains with 50 or more locations in the United States across nine industry segments. For …
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Vixxo, a leader and innovator in facilities management, has named Chris Karp as its president, customer and field operations. Karp will be responsible for the strategic planning and execution of the company’s client delivery operations, both at its service centers and in the field. His leadership will drive Vixxo’s high-performance customer service culture and deliver continuous improvement of the customer experience and end-to-end service delivery. “At the core of Vixxo’s success is its ability to consistently provide excellent customer experiences,” says Jim Reavey, Vixxo’s president and CEO. …
Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of outdoor and indoor lighting and graphics for commercial, industrial and multi-site retail applications, has named Richard Abernethy as senior director, product management, outdoor products and controls. In his new role, Abernethy will work closely with LSI Industries’ engineering, sales, operations and marketing teams to develop innovative new products, as well as manage LSI Industries’ expansive portfolio of outdoor lighting and control products. Abernethy has more than 35 years of experience in the lighting industry. Prior to joining LSI Industries, he …
— By Gene Belli — What retail and restaurant facility owners need to know about environmental and condition assessments. At some point or points during the life of a thriving retail or restaurant property, it will inevitably require an assessment of sorts in the form of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), a Property Condition Assessment (PCA), a Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) or a Compliance Audit/Safety Assessment. The importance of these evaluations can often be underestimated due to their relative infrequency. That said, owners and managers of these facilities …
— By Carol L. Carey — How to control social media and news coverage of your establishment through effective, preventative pest control. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, local news outlets and even national television cover everything: the good, the bad and the ugly — and not all publicity is good publicity. Contrary to the types of stories you want printed about your establishment, negative stories can “go viral” quicker than positive ones. If someone finds a rat in the produce section at a local grocery store, or food poisoning at …
Canton, Mass. — Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, has signed a multi-unit agreement to develop 10 new locations across Upstate New York, including in Syracuse and the Southern Tier, in addition to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. With a portfolio of 40 Dunkin’ restaurants and one multi-brand location, the deal was signed with franchisees Bapa Chambers Rd Ice Cream, LLC. The first store of the 10-unit deal opened in Horseheads, N.Y., in mid-July. The Horseheads Baskin-Robbins marks the brand’s first stand-alone “Moments” store location to open east of …
Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has appointed Stacey Shively, a senior executive with nearly 25 years of retail merchandising experience, as senior vice president, general merchandise manager for its home division, effective Sept. 9. Reporting to Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president, chief merchant, Shively will be responsible for overseeing the company’s home merchandising strategies. “Stacey is an accomplished merchant who has spent her retail career curating products and experiences that appeal to a value-oriented customer based on lifestyle needs,” says Wlazlo. “Her extensive background in merchandising, product …
Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc.’s board of directors has unanimously elected David Gibbs as chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2020, and appointed him to the company’s board, effective November 1, 2019. Gibbs, who currently serves as Yum! Brands’ president and chief operating officer and oversees the global KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell divisions, will succeed Greg Creed, who has decided to retire at the end of 2019 after a successful 25-year career with the company. “I’ve had the privilege of partnering with our franchisees to grow the …