— By Jim Arabia — Grocery stores in particular generate big boosts in sales from refreshing and remodeling. The fear of online shopping overtaking in-store purchases certainly hasn’t hit the grocery market yet, with a Gallup poll showing 84% of U.S. shoppers never buy their food from the internet. With that in mind, many retailers — not just grocery stores — are ensuring their physical store is keeping pace with customer needs, through remodeling and introducing more technology for a better shopping experience. Indeed, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing …
— By Mike Watt — How to get rid of the frequent diners you do NOT want. There is no privacy anymore, and no privacy can often turn into terrible publicity for restaurants. For instance, go to YouTube and type in the query “video rats in a restaurant” and more than three pages come up all showing rats running around a restaurant kitchen. But, that’s not the only rodent restaurant owners and managers may have to grapple with. If rats are present, very often mice are as well. …
San Francisco — Janet Hayes, president of the Williams Sonoma brand, is resigning from the company after 12 years of service on August 1, 2019. She will be succeeded by Ryan Ross, executive vice president of Emerging Brands with the company. “On behalf of the board and senior management team, I would like to thank Janet for her valuable contributions over her tenure at our company,” says Laura Alber, Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s president and chief executive officer. “Her leadership of Williams Sonoma was instrumental to the brand’s success, significantly expanding its …
New Albany, Miss. — Standex Refrigerated Solutions Group (RSG) has named John Richardson as vice president of finance for the Refrigerated Solutions Group, effective June 24, 2019, reporting directly to Kevin Fink, president of RSG. In his new role, Richardson is responsible for all areas related to accounting, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, tax, month-end cycle and IT support. Richardson is now working directly with the RSG leadership team to design and implement operational improvements and automation related to maximizing the financial and accounting efficiency of the …
Round Rock, Texas — The Twin Peaks restaurant in Round Rock, Texas, which first opened in 2008, recently reopened after a significant remodel. Twin Peaks updated its interior to provide the best experience possible for its guests. Restaurant renovations include a complete revamp of the bar for more seating, an increase of beer taps from 12 to 24 and expanded bourbon and whiskey offerings. In addition, dining areas have been updated with larger communal tables, a modernized furniture and décor package and completely remodeled restrooms to include all new modern …
Chicago — On July 9, 2019, home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel opened The Table at Crate, a collaboration between Crate and Barrel and Cornerstone Restaurant Group, with James Beard-nominated Chef Bill Kim leading the kitchen. Opening within Crate and Barrel’s Oak Brook, Ill., store, The Table at Crate is Crate and Barrel’s first full-service restaurant and Cornerstone’s first venture into the retail space. The Table at Crate integrates the dining and retail experience across two levels of indoor and outdoor space, connecting people, creative food and timeless design, while …
New York City — Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based fitness concept, has appointed franchising industry veteran Thomas Flaherty as president of franchising, a newly created position. In this role, Flaherty will oversee the entire franchise business, including directing the brand’s expansion across key markets in the United States and internationally. In his previous position as president and CEO of Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, Flaherty oversaw the Tide Dry Cleaners franchise and Mr. Clean Car Wash license. Flaherty helped to grow Tide Dry Cleaners …
Los Angeles — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), a premier global developer and operator of flagship shopping destinations, has revealed details of its global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program — the most ambitious of its kind for a listed retail real estate company. Called “Better Places 2030”, the CSR program will now formally extend to the United States and the United Kingdom, which were a part of the acquisition of Westfield by Unibail-Rodamco last year. Broadly, the program commits URW to reduce its total carbon footprint 50% by the year 2030 across every …
Dallas — Mimi’s, the popular French-inspired concept, will change its name to Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery. After 41 years in business, the brand is modernizing its restaurants, menus and approach to create an even better experience for loyal patrons and welcome a new era of guests to the table at Mimi’s. “Creating a new name and face for Mimi’s has been a long overdue and exciting experience for our team,” says Philippe Jean, chief operating officer for Le Duff America, Inc. “We are ready for a fresh phase that strengthens …
Miami — Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) has arranged $550 million in financing for the expansion of the iconic Bal Harbour Shops, a 463,114-square-foot, open-air, luxury shopping destination anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus along Miami Beach in Bal Harbour, Fla. The loan, borrowed by Whitman Family Development, is one of the largest construction loans ever to close in Miami. Loan proceeds will be used to retire an existing loan and expand Bal Harbour Shops by an additional 300,000 square feet, including a 57,414-square-foot space to be occupied …