Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., the home décor superstore, continues its expansion to the West Coast, opening its first of five California stores in Orange County’s Foothill Ranch. At Home plans to open four additional Southern California stores in San Diego and Los Angeles later this year. “We are thrilled to bring our home décor superstore concept to California and to open the first of many future stores in the state,” says Lee Bird, chairman and chief executive officer of At Home. “This is an important benchmark in …
retailers
The ‘retail-tainment’ venue creates a golfing and gaming experience that makes socializing a sport. — Interview by Katie Lee — Golf is generally a quiet, solo sport. Topgolf turns that conventional wisdom upside down with a large, world-class entertainment destination that brings golf to players of all ages and skill levels — and brings those players together for a fun, rowdy time with friends, family, food and drinks. With 50+ locations open worldwide and up to 10 new venues planned in 2019, the retail/restaurant concept is a leader in the …
Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA U.S.’s first city center location in the country — the IKEA Planning Studio — will open on April 15, 2019 in Manhattan. Located at 999 Third Ave. in New York City, the new IKEA touchpoint will focus on providing inspiration and smart solutions for city living and small spaces. “We conducted extensive research about city living, and we believe New Yorkers will see their needs reflected this new concept,” says Leontyne Green Sykes, chief operating officer, IKEA Retail U.S. “We hope the Planning Studio will serve …
Nashville, Tenn. — LifeWay, a Christian bookseller based in Nashville, Tenn., plans to close all 170 of its physical bookstores. The bulk of the company’s stores are in the Southeastern United States, with a large concentration of locations in Texas and Ohio. A full list can be found here. LifeWay expects to close all of its physical locations by the end of the year, and the timing of store closings will vary depending on local circumstances. In January, the company announced it would reduce the number of its retail locations …
New York City — Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest retail bookseller, has appointed Carlo Pochintesta as chief information officer. Pochintesta joins the company from Rag & Bone Holdings, LLC, where he also served as chief information officer. He will report to Allen Lindstrom, Barnes & Noble’s chief financial officer. “We are so pleased to welcome Carlo to Barnes & Noble, who brings with him decades of leadership in information technology at some of the country’s most respected retailers,” says Lindstrom. “His long and successful track record of innovation …
Fremont, Calif. — On March 5, 2019, Jos. A. Bank opened its newly renovated flagship store in New York City. The two-story location at the corner of Madison Avenue and 46th Street spans over 13,800 square feet. The Madison location, originally opened in 1994, has undergone a full transformation. The open concept store boasts 17-foot ceilings, custom furniture and fixtures in rich brown woods, marbled stone tops, brushed copper hardware and antiqued mirrors. Design elements of shields and a map of the city of Baltimore (where the company was founded …
San Francisco — After 44 years, fast-fashion retailer Charlotte Russe is going out of business and closing all of the company’s remaining 416 store locations. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Delaware approved an order naming SB360 Capital Partners as agent for the liquidation. Going Out of Business Sales start immediately in all stores across 44 states and Puerto Rico. Merchandise currently in the stores — plus additional product from the distribution center and product originally designated to support the e-commerce platform — will be sold at discounted prices. The …
Atlanta — Whole Foods Market will celebrate its 500th store on April 5, 2019 with the opening of Whole Foods Market Midtown, a 70,000-square-foot, four-story location situated at 22 W. 14th St. in Midtown Atlanta, about 1 mile north of downtown Atlanta. The newest location will be the 12th in Atlanta and the flagship store of the Southeast region. The Whole Foods Midtown location will offer four fast-casual eateries across the store’s four levels, as well as a rooftop bar. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports the new store will include …
Chesapeake, Va. — Variety store chain Family Dollar will close 390 stores this year and make changes to the stores it is keeping open as the retailer seeks a turnaround. Dollar Tree Inc., which purchased Family Dollar in 2015 for nearly $9 billion in cash and stock, plans to revitalize the brand with store closures and a rebranding of some locations to Dollar Tree. In addition, some locations will be renovated to include $1 Dollar Tree merchandise sections. Family Dollar sells a variety of items for under $10 at rural …
Arlington, Texas — Weitzman’s management division will soon begin the redevelopment of Fielder Plaza, a 157,575-square-foot retail center in Arlington, Texas. The project will include a remodeling of the interior of the 52,000-square-foot anchor space occupied by grocer Tom Thumb, as well as a complete remodeling of the property’s exterior elements. The center, which is home to other tenants such as CVS, Starbucks, Pet Supermarket, Mathnasium, Edible Arrangements and Batteries Plus, opened in 1978. The architect for the remodel is Hodges & Associates. — Taylor Williams