The Woodlands, Texas — Market Street – The Woodlands has completed a comprehensive makeover of the award-winning shopping, dining and entertainment destination just north of Houston known for its collection of first-to-market retailers and restaurants as well as Class A office space. Designed by noted architect 505Design, the 8-month project revitalized Market Street’s Central Park, the focal point of the 560,000-square-foot mixed-use property. Natural grass has been replaced with weather-resistant and ecologically sustainable synthetic turf to create a setting suitable for year-round festivals, concerts and other gatherings. New seating areas, …
— By Angela Tucker, Ph.D. — It’s not just a restaurant problem: Here are some common pests in retail facilities. With frequent deliveries, changing inventories and new visitors every day, retailers face a unique set of pest control challenges and problems. Customers may be alarmed by signs of a pest issue, and these unwelcome visitors may even lead to costly damage to inventory and facilities. Retail facility executives should familiarize themselves with general pest control processes and ensure they are followed. Of course, some pests call for special attention. It’s …
— By Carol L. Carey — It’s also what’s OUTSIDE that counts with customers. Your company has prepared by making sure the market research has been done, you have all the latest gadgets, toys, clothing and items everyone would want to buy. Each location is stocked, product and staffing budgets are approved, but are you really prepared? Do you see what I see? Many companies plan and budget for interior cleaning and maintenance. They outline preventative maintenance programs for janitorial services, HVAC, flooring, painting and even lighting. Their focus is …
Oklahoma City — Coolgreens, a fast-casual concept that focuses on providing fresh and high-quality food, has hired Kathy Davidson to join the brand’s leadership team as its new vice president of franchise development. Davidson brings nearly 10 years of foodservice franchise development experience to the role. Previous positions include stints with Church’s Chicken, Cowboy Chicken and, most recently, Fazoli’s. The industry veteran said she is excited to join a smart, strong leadership team with more than 55 years of collective experience, including CEO Robert Lee; Todd Madlener, vice president of …
Pasadena, Calif. — Kitchen United, the GV-backed startup creating a new way for restaurant brands to expand via off-premise optimized kitchen centers, has signed lease agreements bringing new locations to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and a second location to Chicago in the Fulton Market District. The off-premise kitchen concept currently has locations in Pasadena, Calif., and Chicago’s River North neighborhood; new kitchen centers are scheduled to open this year in Atlanta; Columbus, Ohio; Austin, Texas; and Scottsdale, Ariz. “The popularity of off-premise consumption in the restaurant industry — through …
Washington, D.C. — On April 22, 2019 (Earth Day), the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) unveiled a new initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to taking leadership action to reduce potent greenhouse gases used in cooling, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As part of this initiative, ALDI U.S. intends to add 100 more stores in 2019 with HFC-free refrigeration systems. “In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the U.S. retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” says Avipsa …
Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a rapidly expanding fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and specialty salads, has sold its corporate store in Patchogue, N.Y., as part of a multi-year New York City development deal. A private entity will operate the Patchogue store as a franchise, effective immediately, and begin executing a plan to expand the I Heart Mac & Cheese brand into all five boroughs of New York City. “Our first corporate owned restaurant in Patchogue opened in …
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Furniture retailer City Furniture has set the complex operational goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040. Its 2040 Green Promise goal encompasses the company’s showrooms, warehouses and offices, its statewide delivery fleet and recycling initiatives, according to firm President Andrew Koenig. The company leads the U.S. furniture industry with 240,000 square feet of LEED-certified showroom space and is converting its delivery truck fleet to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel fuel. Operating the industry’s greenest fleet, Koenig’s team expects delivery of five all-electric …
Cherry Hill, N.J. — BrandPoint Services, a leading full-service commercial maintenance, repair, refresh and remodel company, has merged with LEGACY Retail Services, a New Jersey-based company and leader in national digital media and fixture installation company. The merger will create a leading single source North American provider of facility services and solutions supporting clients in various industries including retail, banking, healthcare, grocery, restaurant, entertainment and more. The combined companies will offer expertise in facility maintenance service and project management, general contracting construction services, digital media, fixture/graphic installations, merchandising and support …
Chicago — SMS Assist has hired long-time technology executive Kevin McDunn as chief product officer. McDunn will lead all aspects of SMS Assist’s product innovation strategy as the quickly growing company continues to reinvent facilities management services. McDunn, with previous experience at Lenovo, Google and Motorola, was most recently chief product officer at UI LABS, an accelerator focused on transforming industries through digital technology (UI LABS rebranded as MxD in February). “Our company is built on powerful products and innovative ideas,” says Taylor Rhodes, CEO of SMS Assist. “Kevin has …