Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and phone repair franchise, is evolving its customer experience across multiple touchpoints. The rebranding — called “Project VOLT” — was a result of comprehensive merchandising testing which brought to light the opportunity to update and transform stores. The enhancements revolutionize the concept’s online and in-store customer experience and more accurately represent consumers’ preferences when it comes to a retail shopping experience. Now, when customers walk through the doors, a modernized, refreshed look will help them …
construction and design
New York City — Tim Hortons® is launching two new next generation restaurant designs in the U.S.: a 900-square-foot drive-thru only model and a 1,600-square-foot restaurant with a 24-seat dining room. The first drive-thru only model will open this summer in Cross Lanes, W.Va., with at least 8 more opening throughout 2022 across Ohio, Michigan and New York. The new restaurant model offers guests an improved customer experience, while maintaining Tim Hortons’® warm and welcoming feel of your neighborhood coffeeshop. Modern and timeless, the new restaurants are designed for an …
New York City — Alameda, Calif.-based design firm MBH Architects has completed Waterworks’ newly renovated showroom in midtown Manhattan, in the heart of New York City. Following the successful transformation of the Flatiron location in 2017, MBH Architects was tasked with transforming the existing two-story 8,500-square-foot space into a three-story, 12,500-square-foot-flagship masterpiece. Designed with the luxury feel and elegance of a museum, the new space showcases the brand’s sleek tubs, faucets, fittings and mirrors in the most affluent and sumptuous space. The original two-story showroom’s staircase was relocated to create a focal point …
Irving, Texas — 7-Eleven, Inc. has opened its fifth Evolution Store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and ninth in the country. Located at the corner of Preston and Alpha roads in Dallas, this new location offers customizable beverage options, a premium cigar humidor and the latest digital innovations in addition to Laredo Taco Company®, a popular south Texas restaurant concept. Laredo Taco Company is famous for its authentic tacos served on fresh-made flour tortillas as well as its signature salsa bar. Unlike other Laredo Taco Company restaurants, this location features …
Scottsdale, Ariz. — On May 29, P.F. Chang’s reopened its Atlantic City, N.J., location as an upgraded flagship restaurant. After 3 months of extensive renovations, the long-established Atlantic City location reopens as P.F. Chang’s first flagship restaurant on the East Coast — and third in the country. P.F. Chang’s newest flagship restaurant at 2801 N. Pacific Ave. originally opened in 2004. The 6,137-square-foot space, which spans two floors and seats 186 guests, underwent an extensive renovation, resulting in significant upgrades to design, décor and ambiance. “P.F. Chang’s prides itself in …
— By John Gajewski, MRICS — Retail strategies for leveraging historic assets to build a competitive edge. In a highly competitive, complex and dynamically shifting retail market, all eyes are on innovative solutions, and the conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic have provided a catalyst for transformation. Takeout eateries and online megastores dominate the retail market based on convenience, selection and pricing. Traditional retailers must compete on alternative measures. Urban Outfitters, RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) and The Old Spaghetti Factory, some of the brick-and-mortar retailers that have …
Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s plans to increase its investment in brick-and-mortar with the addition of 100 new, smaller-format locations over the next 4 years in previously untapped markets. This expansion follows the pilot of 20 stores featuring the company’s smaller-format design, which averages around 35,000 square feet versus the traditional 80,000-square-foot iteration. In June, the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based company will be opening a smaller-format shop in Bonney Lake, Wash., and in the fall, stores are set to open in San Angelo, Texas; Morgantown, W.Va.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Lenox, Mass. …
Corte Madera, Calif. — RH has opened RH San Francisco, The Gallery at the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building, the crown jewel of Pier 70 and gateway to what was once one of the country’s most storied shipyards. RH San Francisco continues the brand’s foray into hospitality with The Palm Court Restaurant, a new live-fire concept set within an atrium of glass and steel with Medjool date palms and featuring two wine bars at its dual entrances — plus a landscaped Rooftop Park with views of the city skyline, Bay and …
San Francisco — On May 20, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company reopened its flagship Chocolate Experience Store, located in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. The space is designed to elevate the customer experience and provides new and exciting ways to celebrate the true craftmanship of chocolate making. “We are thrilled to unveil the Chocolate Experience Store to our community of chocolate lovers and hometown of San Francisco,” says Justin Reese, vice president of retail and e-commerce at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Our premium chocolate, the historic architecture and the stunning views, have made Ghirardelli …
Phoenix — Hash Kitchen has partnered with architecture and design firm Harrison to revamp the creative brunchery’s design in preparation for its launch in Gilbert and Peoria, Ariz. Harrison will support Hash Kitchen through concept development, branding, architecture, interior design, permitting and contract administration phases. The next-generation design will feature Hash Kitchen’s iconic DJ booth, Bloody Mary bar, disco balls, playful wall graphics and mimosa staples for guests to eat, drink and have a great time in an all-new space designed to entice all your senses. “With Harrison’s dynamic portfolio …