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Who's Opening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where Bashas’ Inc. (480-895-9350) is planning to open an Ike’s Farmer’s Market store in central Phoenix, AZ during August. The store is expected to feature a deli that will sell prepared meals for those with special diet needs, including chemical-free foods, bins that display new and specialty items, weather reports that impact crops and produce supplies, a grinder where shoppers can make their own organic peanut butter and a winery called Ike’s Grape Expectations. The company currently operates approximately 150 stores located primarily in AZ, as well as a few stores in CA and NM. Its holdings include Bashas’ traditional supermarkets, AJ’s Fine Foods (gourmet-style supermarkets), Bashas’ Dine Markets and Food City supermarkets, which cater to a Hispanic clientele in southern AZ. Bashas’ has opened more than 30 Natural Choice in-store departments that feature natural and organic items. It also operates a handful of supermarkets in the Navajo Nation.
Gander Mountain Co. (651-325-4300) is planning to open as many as six to eight Gander Mountain stores this year. The company currently operates about 98 outdoor sporting goods stores focused on hunting, camping and fishing in 15 mainly Midwestern states. In addition to outdoor equipment and related accessories, the stores also sell apparel and footwear, as well as all terrain vehicles and gear.
IKEA (610-834-0180) is planning to open a 265,000 sq.ft. store at the Reed Avenue exit off Interstate 80 in west Sacramento, CA. The store will feature 50 room settings, four complete homes, a supervised children’s play area and a 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties. Other features include a Children’s IKEA area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. The company also is planning to open a store at a former shipyard location in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, NY. This will be the first store to be opened by IKEA in New York, NY. The company recently received approvals to build a three-story, 346,000 sq.ft. mega store on the property. It will be IKEA’s largest store in America. The company also is planning to open a store in Canton Township, MI. Opening is slated for summer. The store will be the company’s 28th in the U.S. and fourth in the upper Midwest, joining stores in Schaumberg, IL; Bloomington, MN and Bolingbrook, IL. The Canton store will feature four model homes, 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, as well as a 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties and American dishes. IKEA currently operates 210 stores throughout 32 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. Aéropostale, Inc. (646-485-5398) is planning to open 65 Aeropostale stores and five Jimmy’Z stores this year. The company currently operates approximately 659 mostly mall-based stores throughout some 47 states, offering casual clothing for young men and women, as well as 13 Jimmy’Z stores throughout 10 states. Aéropostale stocks the usual teen outerwear, including jeans, T-shirts, accessories, mostly under the Aéropostale and Aéro names.
Brinker International, Inc. (972-980-9917) is planning to open 10 Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants throughout the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Brinker International currently operates 28 franchised Chili’s locations throughout the Middle East. Other franchisees operate locations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oatar, Bahrain and Lebanon. Brinker International currently operates more than 1,000 Chili’s locations. The restaurants offer southwestern-style dishes, such as fajitas, margarita grilled chicken, and its popular baby back ribs. In addition to Chili’s, Brinker operates the Italian-themed Romano’s Macaroni Grill and the Mexican-flavored On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. Its smaller chains include Maggiano’s Little Italy, Rockfish Seafood Grill and Corner Bakery Cafe. Overall, the company operates more than 1,600 restaurants throughout 49 states and 24 countries and territories.
The Steak n Shake Co. (317-633-4100) is planning to open at least 26 company-owned restaurants during fiscal 2006 and at least five franchised units. The company currently operates and franchises approximately 448 Steak n Shake restaurants throughout about 20 states in the Midwest and Southeast. The full-service chain’s menu features its hallmark steak burgers and milkshakes, as well as fries, chicken sandwiches and chili. About 60 units are operated by franchisees, while the rest are company-owned. Open 24 hours a day, Steak n Shakes offer breakfast and late night dining, but lunch and dinner account for most of the chain’s sales. Each location serves its food on fine china.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. (812-867-6471) is planning to open 15 Shoe Carnival stores this year. The company currently operates more than 266 footwear stores throughout the South and Midwest featuring bright lights and neon signs. In-store “barkers” point out specials and organize games soliciting customer participation to promote the “carnival-like” atmosphere. Shoe Carnival sells brandname and private-label men’s, women’s, children’s and athletic footwear. It has been adding about 30 stores annually, preferring to open locations simultaneously to save on management and distribution costs.
Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. (952-525-2070) is planning to open additional Granite City Food & Brewery locations in MN, NE and WI this year and next. Granite City Food & Brewery operates 11 brew pubs throughout IA, MN, ND, NE and SD. The restaurants offer a variety of handcrafted beers that are brewed on-site, including Brother Benedict’s Mai Bock, Duke of Wellington English ale and Victory Lager. The menu features chicken and steak, as well as appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Stein Mart, Inc. (904-346-1500) is planning to open approximately 20 Stein Mart stores this year, with most of the openings occurring in the second half of the year. The company, which operates approximately 260 stores throughout about 30 states, sells women’s, men’s, and children’s brand-name clothing at discount prices. Fashions range from casual to formal wear. Its stores also sell jewelry, bed and bath linens and gift items.
The Vitamin Shoppe (201-868-5959) opened a 3,700 sq.ft. The Vitamin Shoppe location at Lord Salisbury Center on U.S. 13 in Salisbury, MD. Expansion will continue nationwide. The company sells vitamins, supplements, and minerals, in addition to herbal, homeopathic, and personal care products.
Kirkland’s, Inc. (731-668-2444) is planning to open a Kirkland’s store during February. The company currently operates approximately 320 stores throughout 37 states, which stock decorative home accessories and gifts, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, artificial flowers, rugs, garden accessories and coffee-table books. Stores operate under the names Kirkland’s and Briar Patch by Kirkland’s, which the company is phasing out.
In-N-Out Burgers, Inc. (949-509-6200) is looking to open more locations throughout the western U.S. during the coming months. The company typically opens a new restaurant every month. The company owns and operates approximately 200 hamburger restaurants located primarily in CA. A small number of units operate in AZ and NV. The chain’s menu features just four basic items — hamburgers, cheeseburgers, the Double-Double (two patties and two slices of cheese) and French fries — but patrons are free to customize their hamburgers and add on malts, shakes or sodas.
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