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Who's Opening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where Slumberland, Inc. (651-482-7500) is planning to open more locations throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area. The company currently operates nearly 100 stores throughout 10 states. It first opened its doors as a specialty mattress shop in 1967, but today Slumberland also offers furniture for the bedroom, dining and living room. It is the leading retailer of La-Z-Boy upholstery and also sells Natuzzi leather pieces and both Sealy and Simmons mattresses. Franchising has become an increasingly vital part of Slumberland’s strategy for expansion.
Hy-Vee, Inc. (515-267-2800) is planning to open a 70,000 sq.ft. Hy-Vee store on Wanamaker Road in Topeka, KS. The company currently operates approximately 220 Hy-Vee supermarkets throughout IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NE and SD. About half of its supermarkets are in IA, as are most of its 25-plus Drug Town drugstores.
Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc. (909-783-5000) is opening a 44,000 sq.ft. supermarket in Highland, CA. Stater Bros. Holdings operates more than 160 full service Stater Bros. Markets throughout approximately six counties, primarily in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas. The grocery chain also owns and operates milk and juice processor Santee Dairies (also known as Heartland Farms), one of the state’s largest milk processors.
Charming Shoppes, Inc. (215-245-9100) is planning to open approximately 75 Lane Bryant Outlet stores this month and next month. The company currently operates about 2,241 stores throughout 48 U.S. states at three apparel chains that cater to plus-size women: 1,023 Fashion Bug stores that sell moderately priced apparel and accessories in girls, juniors, misses, and plus sizes; more than 466 Catherines Plus Size stores; and some 752 Lane Bryant stores. Across the U.S., Charming Shoppes serves low- to middle-income women and teens who follow fashion styles rather than set them. Overall, plus-size apparel accounts for more than 70% of the company’s sales.
Saks, Inc. (205-940-4000) is planning to open Parisian stores in Birmingham, AL and in Little Rock, AR by the fall. The company also intends to reopen its Saks Fifth Avenue store in New Orleans by November. Saks currently operates 54 Saks Fifth Avenue luxury department stores throughout 25 states and 50 outlet stores under the Off 5th banner. It also owns nearly 40 Parisian department stores in the Southeast and Midwest and about 55 Club Libby Lu specialty shops, acquired in 2003.
H. E. Butt Grocery Co. (210-938-8000) is planning to open an H-E-B Plus store on the site of the former McCreless Mall in San Antonio, TX. Opening is slated for 2008. In addition to groceries, the stores sell such merchandise as furniture and entertainment products. The 50-acre project will be an open-air project and include 450,000 sq.ft. of retail space. H-E-B acquired the 43-year-old mall along Southcross Boulevard in 2003.
Stage Stores, Inc. (713-667-5601) is planning to open a total of 108 stores, or a net of 106 stores after closures, which includes the conversion of 69 of the acquired B.C. Moore stores to Peebles stores. The company is on track to open the first two groups of converted Peebles stores, or 23 total stores, during this month. The company operates about 550 department stores, mainly in rural towns in TX and 30 other U.S. states. Through its Stage, Bealls, Palais Royal and Peebles stores, the company offers small-town America moderately priced apparel and accessories, cosmetics, and footwear. Nationally recognized brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Levi Strauss, Chaps, and Polo are sold alongside Stage Stores’ private-label merchandise. Stage Stores acquired the 78-store B.C. Moore & Sons chain for about $37 million.
Old Time Pottery, Inc. (615-890-2100) is planning to open a 93,000 sq.ft. store at the site of the vacant Century Mall store in Merrillville, IN. Opening is slated for the fall. Old Time Pottery operates a chain of approximately 30 stores in 10 mostly southern states that sell discounted closeout and overstock housewares, silk flowers, framed art, linens, rugs, craft supplies and more. The company gets its inventory, which it displays in a warehouse-type setting, from the canceled orders and excess stock of manufacturers.
Wal*Mart Stores, Inc. (479-273-4000) is planning to open a 203,000 sq.ft. Wal*Mart Supercenter store north of Lewisburg, PA on Route 15. The store would be situated on a land area of 31.7 acres. The supercenter will anchor a 60-acre shopping center. Already on the site are a Sheetz and Applebee’s with a mini-mall under construction and several unsold plots available. The company also opened a store in White Plains, NY. The company currently operates more than 5,700 stores, including some 1,350 Wal*Mart stores, nearly 2,000 Wal*Mart Supercenter locations in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and 550 Sam’s Club stores. Nearly 75% of its stores are in the U.S., but Wal*Mart is expanding internationally; it is the top retailer in Canada and Mexico. It owns 42% of Japanese supermarket chain SEIYU. Wal*Mart also has operations in Asia, Europe and South America.
Cosi, Inc. (847-597-8800) is planning to open 10 company-owned restaurants by the end of the second quarter. Overall, the company is looking to open 17 locations this year. The company operates and franchises more than 100 eclectic Cosí cafés throughout about 15 states offering premium and specialty coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. Its menu also features breakfast items, including its bagel-inspired Squagels, salads, soups, and desserts. Most of its restaurants also offer dinner and drinks after 5 p.m., while its Cosí Downtown units, which account for about a quarter of its cafés and are primarily located in non-residential business districts, close in the evening. Cosi also offers delivery and catering services and operates a handful of coffee kiosks in Macy’s department stores.
CVS Corp. (401-765-1500) is planning to open a CVS drug store in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach, FL. The 13,000 sq.ft. CVS on LPGA Boulevard is slated to open by January. The chain currently operates 20 stores in Volusia County and three in Flagler County. CVS currently operates approximately 5,222 stores throughout 42 states.
Target Corp. (612-304-6073) is planning to open a Target store at the Westminster Mall in Westminster, CA. The space was formerly occupied by Macy’s. The nation’s No. 2 discount chain currently operates approximately 1,440 Target and SuperTarget stores throughout 47 states, as well as an online business called Target.com. Target and its cousins, including SuperTarget, which sells groceries, and Target Greatland, have carved out a niche by offering more upscale, fashion-forward merchandise than rivals Wal*Mart and Kmart.
RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (770-399-9595) is planning to open a LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant on Radio Drive in Florence, SC. The company owns and franchises more than 300 casual-dining restaurants that specialize in steak and beef dishes. Its flagship LongHorn Steakhouse chain offers steak, seafood, and chicken dishes in a casual setting with Western decor. There are approximately 250 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants throughout 25 states as well as four franchised units in Puerto Rico. The more than 30 Bugaboo Creek Steak House locations are moderately priced for family diners. The restaurants have a mountain lodge motif and are in 10 states. The 23 upscale Capital Grilles are found in 18 states and Washington, DC.
Deb Shops, Inc. (215-676-6000) is planning to open as many as 15 to 20 locations during fiscal 2007. Deb Shops sells moderately priced accessories, coats, dresses, lingerie, shoes, and sportswear through more than 325 stores across the U.S., most of them in malls in the Midwest and Northeast. The DEB chain makes up almost all of the company’s stores. About half of all DEB stores contain plus-size departments. Other chains include CSO outlet stores and Tops ‘N Bottoms, which offer apparel for young men and junior-sized women.
California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (310-342-5000) is planning to open a restaurant at Vista Village, a center located in Vista, CA. Opening is slated for October. The casual restaurant chain offers pizzas with a variety of unique topping combinations, including duck, barbecued chicken, and grilled shrimp. It also serves Neapolitan pizzas from Italy as well as American-style pies. California Pizza Kitchen rounds out its menu with pastas, soups, salads, and desserts. It operates, licenses, or franchises 190 restaurants, mainly in mall or shopping center locations, throughout approximately 30 states and Washington, D.C. It has 10 restaurants in five Asian countries. California Pizza Kitchen owns about 160 restaurants and franchises or licenses the other 30 units.
Ross Stores, Inc. (925-965-4400) is planning to open a Ross Dress For Less store at Shops at Vineyard Village, a center located at the southeast corner of Glade Road and Texas 121 in Euless, TX. Ross Stores operates two discount clothing chains with about 735 outlets. The company sells mostly closeout merchandise, including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, at prices well below those of department and specialty stores. Although apparel accounts for nearly two-thirds of sales, the stores also sell small furnishings, educational toys and games, luggage, and gourmet foods in select stores. Featuring the Ross “Dress for Less” trademark, the chain targets 25- to 54-year-old white-collar shoppers from primarily middle-income households. Ross stores are located in strip malls in 26 states, mostly in the western U.S., and Guam.
Peter Piper, Inc. (480-609-6400) has selected San Diego, CA as a significant growth market for company-owned restaurants. Plans have been set of opening six new Peter Piper Pizza restaurants in the area by the end of 2008. There are currently two restaurants in the San Diego, CA area. The company also plans on opening 10 restaurants in the Dallas, TX area over the next five years. Peter Piper Pizza has 135 restaurants in AZ, CA, NM, NV and TX and throughout Mexico. Growth plans include expanding by approximately 15 percent each year over the next several years. The restaurants serve a variety of pizza styles and toppings along with such items as breadsticks, chicken wings, and salads. Most locations offer delivery service as well as dine-in seating. About 40 of the restaurants are company-owned, while the rest are franchised.
Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (781-737-3000) is planning to open a Dunkin’ Donuts shop at Grandview Plaza Shopping Center in Penn Township, PA. The company operates more than 12,000 quick-service eateries, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s. With about 6,100 shops in 30 countries, 4,400 of which are in North America, Dunkin’ is the world’s leading chain of doughnut shops. Baskin-Robbins is a leading seller of ice cream and frozen snacks with its more than 5,400 outlets, about half are located in the U.S. Dunkin’s Togo’s shops, with more than 400 West Coast units, serve a variety of made-to-order sandwiches. About 1,100 locations offer a combination of the company’s brands.
Coach, Inc. (212-594-1850) is planning to open as many as 25 Coach retail stores in malls and centers owned by General Growth Properties, Inc. Coach designs and manufactures classically styled, high-quality leather goods and accessories, including purses, outerwear, luggage and gloves. The company also licenses its name for watches, eyewear, footwear, and furniture. Coach sells its wares through department and outlet stores in the U.S. and in 19 other countries, catalogs, and its Web site. It also runs approximately 285 stores in the U.S. and plans to open about 20 new stores annually.
Environmental Home Centers (206-682-7332) acquired Environmental Building Supplies of Portland, OR, with plans to eventually add more stores in the northwest and in CA. The company is looking to open large anchor stores in major metropolitan markets and smaller satellite stores in smaller markets. The stores specialize in selling sustainable harvested wood flooring and cabinets and environmentally friendly paints and finishes.
Walgreen Co. (847-914-2500) is planning to open multiple stores in the Beckley, WV area. Walgreen operates more than 5,000 stores throughout 45 states and Puerto Rico, and has three mail order facilities. Prescription drugs account for nearly 64% of sales; the rest comes from general merchandise, over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, and groceries. For added convenience, more than two-thirds of its stores offer drive-thru pharmacies, and almost all offer one-hour photo processing.
Starbucks Corp. (206-447-1575) is planning to open three Starbucks coffee shops in the Jacinto Valley in CA. Stores are planned for Esplenade and Sanderson Avenues and State Street and Ramona Expressway, both in San Jacinto, and New Chicago and Florida Avenues in Hemet. The company is also opening a 1,800 sq.ft. Starbucks on East Coliseum Boulevard in Fort Wayne, IN, with an uncertain opening date. This will be the ninth Starbucks in Fort Wayne, IN, however it won’t be the last. Since 2001, the company has opened one to three stores every year, with eight stores now open and three more on the way. The stores under construction include the East Coliseum Boulevard location, a site located at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard and one at Glenbrook Square scheduled to open this October. Starbucks currently operates approximately 10,000 coffee shops throughout more than 30 countries. The shops offer coffee drinks and food items, as well as beans, coffee accessories, teas, and CDs. Starbucks owns about 6,000 of its shops, which are located in 10 countries, mostly in the U.S., while licensees and franchisees operate more than 4,200 units worldwide, primarily in shopping centers and airports. The company also owns and franchises the Seattle’s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia chains in the U.S. In addition, Starbucks markets its coffee through grocery stores and licenses its brand for other food and beverage products.
First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (817-460-3947) is planning to open 60 to 70 locations this year. First Cash Financial Services operates approximately 200 pawnshops in six states, Washington, DC and Mexico, mostly under the First Cash or Famous Pawn names. It lends money secured by such personal property as jewelry, electronic equipment, tools, firearms (no handguns), sporting goods and musical equipment. First Cash also offers check cashing, cash advances, money orders and transfers, and bill payment services through some 90 additional stores; and is half-owner of Cash & Go, a Texas limited partnership which operates 40 financial services kiosks inside convenience stores.
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. (858-453-7845) is planning to open approximately 90 stores this year, or 75 new stores net of relocations and closings. The company expects to open approximately 20 new stores during the second quarter of this year. In addition, the company expects to remodel approximately 35 stores for the full year. Petco Animal Supplies is a holding company for Petco Animal Supplies Stores, which is the second-largest specialty pet supplies retailer in the U.S. with about 799 stores.
Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc. (314-259-6200) is planning to open 12 Hardee’s restaurants by January. The chain offers a variety of premium-priced Angus beef hamburgers under such names as Thickburger, Six Dollar Burger, and the Monster Thickburger. Hardee’s also serves up chicken sandwiches, salads, fries, and beverages, as well as dessert items. The chain is located primarily in the Midwest and Southeast; about a third of the restaurants are operated by the company, while the rest are franchised. Hardee’s is a subsidiary of fast food giant CKE Restaurants.
Stupid Prices, Inc. (425-488-2601) is planning to open at least four stores in the Sacramento, CA area, and a total of a dozen locations throughout northern CA. The chain specializes in selling furniture, electronics, clothing, lawn and garden merchandise and food items liquidated from warehouse club stores and other major retailers. The company’s stores are typically between 15,000 sq.ft. and 20,000 sq.ft. in second-generation buildings such as former warehouses, closed supermarkets and in other freestanding spaces. Stupid Prices has opened 15 stores during the past three years.
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (417-862-6708) is planning to open 170 to 175 stores this year. O’Reilly Automotive sells aftermarket parts, automotive tools, professional service equipment, and accessories through more than 1,200 O’Reilly auto parts stores, mostly throughout MO, OK and TX and through its Web site. The company sells new and remanufactured auto parts, such as alternators and fuel pumps, maintenance items like oil and antifreeze, accessories such as floor mats and seat covers, and a full line of auto body paint.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. (404-765-8038) opened a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Veterans Parkway in Clarksville, IN. The restaurant came complete with a drive-thru, an indoor playground and a full breakfast menu. The opening marks the twenty-first Chick-fil-A location in IN and is one of three expected to be built this year, with other locations scheduled for Indianapolis and South Bend, IN. With more than 1,200 restaurants, the company’s eateries serve chicken entrees, sandwiches, and salads, along with its popular waffle fries and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The chain is made up primarily of mall-based stores, but it also includes freestanding units that offer drive-through service as well as dine-in seating.
Fastenal Co. (507-454-5374) is planning to open approximately 228 to 316 stores this year. The company currently operates about 1,750 stores in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico and Singapore. Its stores stock about 580,000 items in 10 product categories, including threaded fasteners such as screws, nuts, and bolts. Other sales come from fluid-transfer parts for hydraulic and pneumatic power; janitorial, electrical, and welding supplies; material handling items; metal-cutting tool blades; and power tools. Its customers are typically construction, manufacturing, and other industrial professionals.
Panera Bread Co. (314-633-7100) will open eight Panera Bread stores in Orlando, FL. The plans represent commitments for a total of 33 new bakery-cafes. Other stores will be opening in northern NJ, Long Island, NY and NC. Panera Bread Co. is a leader in the quick-casual restaurant business with more than 870 bakery-cafes in about 35 states. Its locations offer made-to-order sandwiches built using a variety of artisan breads, including Asiago cheese bread, focaccia, and sourdough bread. Its menu also features soups, salads, and gourmet coffees. In addition, Panera sells its bread, bagels, and pastries to go. About 310 of its locations are company-operated, while the rest are owned by franchisees.
Let’s Dish (651-789-2236) is planning to open a location at Sparkleberry Crossing, a center located off Interstate 20 at Clemson Road and Sparkleberry in West Columbia, SC this summer. The retail meal preparation store chain is projecting a surge in new locations from a beginning of the year count of nine stores in four states to 30 locations throughout 10 states by year’s end. Multiple locations are planned in Boston, MA and St. Louis and Kansas City, MO. Another four to six locations are planned for the Twin Cities area of MN.
Kolache Factory, Inc. (281-829-6188) will open a Kolache Factory in Austin, TX this month. The store will be located on West Parmer Lane, while a second location will open later in the year. There are currently 14 company-owned and eight franchise stores in Houston, TX, two franchise stores in Indianapolis, IN, and one franchise store in Denver, CO; St. Louis, MO; Overland Park, KS and McAllen, TX. Other franchise stores will soon be opening in various cities around the country. The company, founded in 1982, serves kolaches, which are pastries stuffed with fruit, cheeses, or meats. The company intends to open 200 franchised locations by 2008.
Olga’s Kitchen, Inc. (248-362-0001), in partnership with TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants, plans to open eight to 10 Olga’s Kitchen restaurants in the St. Louis, MO area over the next five years. The companies are also developing 15 new restaurant sites in MI and OH. Four new restaurants have recently opened, and a fifth is under construction in Grand Rapids, MI, with six additional units scheduled over the next 12 months. Olga’s Kitchen operates a chain of about 30 quick-service eateries that specialize in Greek-inspired, pita-wrapped sandwiches. The restaurants also serve a variety of other sandwiches along with soups and salads.
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (714-848-3747) opened a BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery in El Paso, TX. The 8,500 sq.ft. freestanding restaurant is located on Gateway Boulevard West, in the Las Palmas Marketplace. BJ’s Restaurants owns and operates about 50 restaurants in six western states under the names BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, BJ’s Pizza & Grill, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. The casual-dining eateries offer Chicago-style pizza, salad, sandwiches, pasta, and the company’s own hand-crafted beers. Its 11 Restaurant & Brewery locations, which feature an onsite microbrewery, help supply beer to the rest of the chain.
Bass Pro Shops, Inc. (417-873-5000) is planning to open a store in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area. Each of its 25-plus Outdoor World stores throughout 17 states cover about 280,000 sq.ft. The cavernous outlets sell boats, campers, equipment, and apparel for most outdoor activities and offer features such as archery ranges, fish tanks, snack bars, and video arcades. The company owns Tracker Marine (boat manufacturing) and American Rod & Gun (sporting goods wholesale) and runs a resort in the Ozark Mountains.
The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (818-871-3000) is planning to open as many as 21 restaurants, including two to three Grand Lux Café locations for fiscal 2006. The majority of the restaurant openings will occur in the second half of the year. The Cheesecake Factory operates more than 100 casual-dining restaurants, offering about 200 menu items ranging from sandwiches and salads to steaks and seafood. The highlight of the menu, of course, is cheesecake, which comes in about 40 varieties, including Chocolate Tuxedo Cream and Kahlua Cocoa Coffee. Each restaurant has a unique design, but all have over-the-top opulence and Las Vegas-style glitz. In addition to its flagship concept, the company operates seven Grand Lux Cafes, licenses two bakery cafes, and sells its cheesecakes to grocery stores and foodservice operations.
Wakefern Food Corp. (908-527-3300) is planning to open a ShopRite store at the South Hills Mall in Poughkeepsie, NY. The company will renovate the 77,000 sq.ft. space, with an opening slated for early fall. Wakefern Food has grown into the largest retailer-owned supermarket cooperative in the US. The co-op is now owned by 38 independent grocers, which operate more than 200 ShopRite supermarkets in seven eastern states. More than half of ShopRite stores offer pharmacies. In addition to namebrand and private-label products, Wakefern supports its members with advertising, merchandising, insurance, and other services. Wakefern’s ShopRite Supermarkets subsidiary acquired the assets of Florida-based Big V Supermarkets, which filed for bankruptcy in 2000.
Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. (858-675-1600) is planning to open Sweet Tomatoes locations in West Palm Beach, FL and Phoenix, AZ later this year. The new prototype design offers a contemporary “farmers market” look, with a mixture of authentic and new, earthy and industrial elements. The exterior was designed with rich earth tones to evoke a farmhouse feeling. The company owns and operates about 95 salad-buffet restaurants throughout 15 states, primarily in CA and other western states under the names Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes. The eateries feature extensive salad bars that include fixings as well as specialty and prepared salads. Smaller self-serve bars include pasta, soups, muffins and breads, frozen yogurt, and fresh fruit. Garden Fresh supplies its restaurants through a network of centralized kitchens and distribution centers.
Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. (513-961-2660) is planning to open one more Golden Corral restaurant this year. Frisch’s Restaurants is a franchiser of Big Boy family restaurants with about 90 Frisch’s Big Boy locations in IN, KY and OH. It sub-licenses more than 30 additional Big Boys in those states. While famous for its double-decker hamburgers, Big Boy also offers chicken, roast beef, pasta, beef, and seafood dinners, as well as a breakfast bar that converts to a soup and salad bar at lunch. Frisch’s operates about 30 buffet-style Golden Corral steak houses in the same areas.
Grill Concepts, Inc. (310-820-5559) is planning to open a 7,000 sq.ft. Daily Grill restaurant within the Sheraton Seattle at the intersection of Pike Street and 7th Avenue in Seattle, WA. Opening is slated for the spring of 2007. The site is located adjacent to the Washington State Convention Center. In addition to serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Daily Grill will prepare food for room service for hotel guests on the property, which is currently expanding to 1,253 guestrooms, and will also serve the Hotel Lobby lounge. Grill Concepts signed a 10-year management agreement on the property, with two additional five-year options. The company currently operates 24 restaurants, including four The Grill on the Alley-branded restaurants in Beverly Hills, Hollywood and San Jose, CA and in Chicago, IL, as well as 20 Daily Grill restaurants in southern and northern CA, the Washington, DC metropolitan region, Houston, TX; Portland, OR and Skokie, IL.
Mothers Work, Inc. (215-873-2200) is planning to open approximately 17 stores during the year, including four multi-brand stores. Mothers Work offers mid-priced to high-end career, casual, and special occasion maternity apparel through its four chains: A Pea in the Pod, Destination Maternity, Mimi Maternity and Motherhood Maternity. It sells in some 1,600 stores, including about 850 mall-based and outlet stores and over 730 leased spaces in department stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico; it also sells online and through catalogs. About 90% of its merchandise is designed by the company and manufactured by third-party contractors.
Chico’s FAS, Inc. (239-277-6200) is planning to open locations under the names White House/Black Market and Soma this year. Once a Mexican folk art shop, Chico’s runs more than 780 specialty stores throughout 47 states, Washington, DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Banners include Chico’s, Fitigues, White House/Black Market and Soma by Chico’s. The boutiques target middle-to-high-income women ages 25 to 40 with clothes made primarily from natural fabrics. Its casual wear includes tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, and jewelry. Chico’s is introducing handbags, belts, watches, and shoes, as well as larger stores to hold it all.
Caribou Coffee Co., Inc. (763-592-2200) is planning to open approximately 80 to 90 Caribou Coffee stores during fiscal 2006, of which 60 to 65 will be company-owned locations. The company operates the second largest non-franchised coffee chain in the U.S. (behind Starbucks), based on the number of locations, with almost 400 stores throughout 15 states and Washington, DC. The outlets, which resemble ski lodges and Alaskan cabins, offer various coffee blends, as well as specialty coffee drinks, teas and baked goods. The company also sells whole bean coffee and brewing supplies. Its products are available in offices, as well as to the food service and retail food industries.
Meijer, Inc. (616-453-6711) is planning to open two Meijer stores in the Detroit, MI area next year. The company currently operates more than 170 combination supermarket and general merchandise stores; about half are in MI, while the rest are in IL, IN, KY and OH. Its huge stores, which average 200,000 sq.ft. to 250,000 sq.ft. each, stock about 120,000 items, including Meijer private-label products. Customers can choose from about 40 departments, including apparel, electronics, hardware, and toys. Most stores also sell gasoline, offer banking services, and have multiple in-store restaurants.
Hooters of America, Inc. (770-951-2040) is planning to open a Hooters restaurant on West Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo, CA during November. Hooters of America operates and franchises more than 425 Hooters restaurants in about 45 states and approximately 20 other countries. The beach-themed bar-and-grills cater to sports fans and are known for their spicy chicken wings as well as their hostesses, who dress in the chain’s trademark bright orange short shorts and tight T-shirts. Hooters also serves chili, sandwiches and beer. The company operates almost 120 locations and franchises the rest.
ShopKo Stores, Inc. (920-429-2211) is planning to open more locations this year, with a focus on WI. The company currently operates approximately 135 ShopKo discount stores, 220 rural Pamida stores, and several ShopKo Express Rx outlets in 23 midwestern and western states. Instead of offering a watered-down selection of many retail categories, it focuses on popular, higher-margin categories such as casual apparel, health and beauty items, and housewares. Most ShopKo stores have optical centers and pharmacies.
IKEA (610-834-0180) is planning to open an IKEA store at The Mall at Millenia in Orlando, FL. IKEA currently operates 225 stores throughout 33 countries. Other stores slated to open in the U.S. this year include locations in Atlanta, GA; Dublin and West Sacramento, CA; Frisco, TX; and Somerville and Stoughton, MA.
Cost Plus, Inc. (510-893-7300) is planning to open an 18,300 sq.ft. World Market store just off Seaboard Street in Myrtle Beach, SC. The national seller of discount imported goods will be located at the former site of The Sports Authority in a cluster of stores under development at Seaboard Commons. The retailer’s 270 Cost Plus World Market stores sell furniture, rugs, baskets, and ceramics, as well as exotic food and beverages. Designed to resemble upscale Third World markets, Cost Plus’ stores are located throughout 34 states. Much of what it sells is imported from 60 countries; many of its 10,000-plus items are proprietary and are sold under its World Market private label.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc. (407-333-7440) is planning to open three restaurants later this year through the first quarter of 2007. New restaurant openings will now be limited in 2007 to eight company restaurants and six to eight franchised locations. Ruth’s Chris Steak House operates more than 90 company-owned and franchised locations throughout approximately 30 states. More than 40 of the restaurants are operated by the company, while the rest are franchised. In addition to its domestic locations, Ruth’s Chris has restaurants in five other countries, including Mexico, Taiwan and Canada. Payless ShoeSource, Inc. (785-233-5171) is planning to open six new format stores this summer. The stores will attempt to lure 20-to-30-year-old women looking for something trendier than they might find at other Payless stores. The company is the No. 1 shoe retailer in the Western Hemisphere, with about 4,600 self-service discount stores, mostly in the U.S., but also in Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Payless offers shoes for the family. It primarily targets women between the ages of 18 and 49. The company also operates Bundles, and Tootsies (socks and accessories) stores. Barnes & Noble, Inc. (212-633-3300) is planning to open a two-level, 40,000 sq.ft. store at the Stamford Town Center located at the intersection of Tresser and Greyrock in Stamford, CT. The company currently operates more than 680 Barnes & Noble superstores throughout all 50 U.S. states and Washington, DC. The store will include a café serving Starbucks coffee and selections from The Cheesecake Factory. An in-store newsstand will offer more than 2,000 titles, including hundreds of hard-to-find specialty magazines, out-of-town and even foreign newspapers.
Banana Republic, Inc. (650-952-4400) is planning to open a Banana Republic store at Battlefield Mall located in Springfield, MO. Opening is slated for the Fall. Banana Republic is a retailer of men’s and women’s mid-scale apparel and currently operates approximately 500 stores throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan. The company is a division of retail giant Gap, Inc. since 1983. In contrast to Gap, however, the Banana Republic division acquires historic landmarks and refurbishes them.
Euromarket Designs, Inc. (847-272-2888) is planning to open a Crate & Barrel store at Del Amo Fashion Center located on Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance, CA. The space was formerly occupied by IHOP. The retailer, which does business under the Crate & Barrel name, operates approximately 145 stores, including nearly a dozen outlet stores, in about two-dozen U.S. states and Washington, DC. About a third of the merchandise, which includes furniture and housewares, is unique to the chain.
Aaron Rents, Inc. (404-231-0011) is planning to open approximately 350 Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership stores during the coming 18 months. One of the leading furniture rental and rent-to-own companies in the U.S., Aaron Rents purveys home and office furniture in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada through approximately 1,200 Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership for Less and Aaron’s Rent-to-Rent stores. Its stores also offer consumer electronics and household appliances.
Applebee’s International, Inc. (913-967-4000) is planning to open approximately 125 restaurants this year, including about 35 company restaurants and at least 90 franchised restaurants. About 20 to 25 franchised restaurants are expected to open in the third quarter, with the remainder opening in the fourth quarter. The company operates more than 1,800 of its signature Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations across the U.S. and in more than a dozen other countries. Its eateries are primarily freestanding units (some are located in shopping areas) and sport interiors decorated with local memorabilia to give each location an indigenous feel. The menu features beef, chicken, and pork items, as well as burgers, pasta, and seafood. The chain is known for its selection of appetizers. The company owns and operates about 25% of its restaurants; the rest are franchised.
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