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Who's Opening & Where
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Who's Opening & Where DSW, Inc. (614-237-7100) is planning to open 30 stores this year. DSW sells discounted brandname footwear for men and women through approximately 200 stores in 32 states. About a half dozen stores carry footwear for kids. In addition to more than 2,000 styles of dress, casual, and athletic shoes, stores offer handbags, hosiery and accessories. The company opened about 30 stores last year and plans to maintain that pace through 2010.
Target Corp. (612-304-6073) is opening a 126,842 sq.ft. Target store in Lake Geneva, WI. The company currently operates approximately 1,440 Target and SuperTarget stores in 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 its rivals.
Nordstrom, Inc. (206-628-2111) is opening a 144,000 sq.ft. store at CityNorth, a center located in Phoenix, AZ. Opening is slated for fall 2009. By 2010, the company is planning to open 19 stores. One of the nation’s largest upscale apparel and shoe retailers, Nordstrom sells clothes, shoes, and accessories through nearly 106 Nordstrom stores and about 50 outlet stores Nordstrom Rack throughout 27 states. It also operates a clearance store, a freestanding shoe store, and 30-plus Façonnable boutiques, primarily in Europe, and it sells goods online and through catalogs.
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. (704-758-1000) is opening a 135,928 sq.ft. Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Route 87 in Williamsport, PA. The store would be part of a 525,000 sq.ft. retail center. Lowe’s currently operates more than 1,250 superstores throughout 49 states and has announced plans to expand into Canada in 2007, as well as opening 150 to 160 stores nationwide. The company’s stores sell about 40,000 products for do-it-yourselfers and professionals for home improvement and repair projects, such as gardening products, home fashion items, lumber, millwork, plumbing and electrical supplies, and tools, as well as appliances (for which the company has a market share of 13%) and furniture.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. (512-477-4455) is opening two stores in Seattle, WA, including a downtown location that is slated to open in November and an Interbay store that is expected to open in the fall of 2007. The company could also eventually add a third Eastside location and is open to the possibility of opening a store in South King County. The company currently operates 180 stores throughout 30 U.S. states, Washington, DC and in Canada and the United Kingdom. The stores emphasize perishable products, which account for more than two-thirds of sales. Whole Foods offers more than 1,500 items in four lines of private-label products such as the premium Whole Foods and a line of organic products for children called Whole Kids. In addition, the company has moved into the related businesses of nutritional supplements.
Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (781-737-3000) is planning to open as many as 10 freestanding Baskin-Robbins locations throughout AZ next year. Baskin-Robbins also is updating its stores with new logos, color schemes and menu boards and is installing kid-friendly features at the counters, including metal bars that can be stepped on to see what’s going on behind the counter. The company hopes to bring its new look to 600 stores overall. The company has more than 12,000 quick-service eateries, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins, and Togo’s. With approximately 6,100 shops throughout 30 countries, 4,400 of which are in North America, Dunkin’ Brands 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. Dunkin’ Brands is owned by a group of private investment firms.
Tres Amigos World Imports (877-932-6446) is opening five retail stores throughout the Southwest, with plans to open more locations in other regions in 2007. The Tucson, AZ-based furniture chain will open three stores in the Phoenix, AZ region, beginning with a Tempe location, followed by stores in Avondale and Gilbert. Tres Amigos also is opening two stores in Albuquerque, NM, with one slated for this month and the other in March 2007. The furniture chain already operates five stores in Tucson, one store each in Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe and two franchised stores in Denver, CO. The company specializes in rustic and Spanish-colonial-style furniture and imports most of its dining room tables, hutches, chairs, chests and pottery from Mexico. Prices range from $5 for pottery or a vase to $150 to $300 for coffee tables. All of the pieces are specially designed for the company. Most of the stores occupy spaces of 14,000 sq.ft. to 18,000 sq.ft. The company also operates Primo, a boutique-style store specializing in higher-end furniture pieces, with two Tucson locations. Tres Amigos also is considering opening a Santa Fe, NM store and is looking at markets in CA, NV and TX for other stores to open within the year.
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc. (450-662-3272) signed an agreement to acquire 54 stores in OH from Holland Oil Co, with the plan of opening Couche-Tard stores at the locations. The majority of the stores are in the Akron/Canton metropolitan area, while the rest are in the Cleveland metropolitan area. The company currently operates approximately 5,000 outlets under the Circle K, Couche-Tard, Dairy Mart, Mac’s, and various other banners. Couche-Tard is also Canada’s largest convenience store chain. The company acquired the Circle K chain in the U.S. in 2003. Alimentation Couche-Tard sells gas at more than 3,000 of its convenience stores. In Quebec, Couche-Tard owns the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise and operates more than 80 shops there.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (212-633-3300) is opening stores in Lincolnshire, IL and in Myrtle Beach, SC. Opening for the Lincolnshire store, which would be located at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Aptakisic Road, is slated for May 2007. Opening for the Myrtle Beach store, which would be located at The Market Commons on Howard Parkway, is slated for March 2008. Barnes & Noble operates more than 680 Barnes & Noble superstores throughout all 50 U.S. states and Washington, DC. It also owns almost 120 mostly mall-based B. Dalton bookstores.
Sport Chalet, Inc. (818-949-5300) is opening a 40,000 sq.ft. store at Metrocenter Mall, a 1.4 million sq.ft. mall in Phoenix, AZ. The space was formerly occupied by an indoor skate park and a neighboring Gloria Jean’s coffee shop. The sporting goods retailer operates approximately 40 stores, mostly in CA, but also in AZ and NV. It also has an online shopping site. The stores are known for carrying specialty products, such as mountain-climbing and scuba gear. Sport Chalet has traditionally specialized in gear for cold-weather sports, such as skiing, but its stores sell brandname shoes, clothes, and equipment for many other activities. Shoppers at Sport Chalet can sign up for scuba training and join dive clubs associated with the stores.
Check Into Cash, Inc. (423-479-2400) is opening a store at Hillsboro Commons, a center located on Harry Sauner Road in Hillsboro, OH. The company offers short-term payday advances through more than 1,200 Check Into Cash stores in 30-plus states. Customers issue a personal check to Check Into Cash to cover the amount borrowed, plus fees and interest. The company holds onto the check until the customer’s next payday (up to two weeks), then cashes it. Customers are required to provide proof of ID and income, and have an active checking account. Check Into Cash markets to employed consumers who want an alternative to traditional short-term cash avenues like credit cards, consumer loans, pawn shops, or overdrafts.
La-Z-Boy, Inc. (734-242-1444) is planning to open 50 New Generation stores by next year. The redesigned stores feature a design center where customers can scan their own fabrics and computers match them to products offered at the store. Almost half of its 334 stores have the new format. The company also is opening more stores in major metro areas, closing unsuccessful locations and remodeling others. La-Z-Boy sells recliners, plus chairs, sofas, tables, and modular seating units. La-Z-Boy sells through more than 60 company-owned stores, almost 250 independent La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, and in-store galleries at furniture dealers, department stores, and other outlets. La-Z-Boy also makes wood furniture such as desks, cabinets, and bedroom items and licenses its name for use on furniture for the health care industry. Its brands include La-Z-Boy, Bauhaus USA, Hammary, Lea, and Kincaid.
Conn’s, Inc. (409-832-1696) expects to be operating approximately 61 or 62 stores by the end of January 2007. The retailer sells appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers) and consumer electronics (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, LCD and plasma-screen TVs) through more than 58 stores in LA and TX, and via its Web site. Conn’s also offers home office equipment, lawn and garden products, and other home products such as bedding. The retailer began as a small plumbing and heating business in 1890. The Stephens Group owns about 48% of Conn’s.
G.I. Joe’s, Inc. (503-682-2242) is opening stores in Bellevue and Kirkland, WA by early spring 2007. Both locations will be considered flagship stores due to their size, breadth of selection and wide array of specialty service departments. The Bellevue store will occupy a space of 67,000 sq.ft. of a former Larry’s Supermarket. The store will be located on 120th Avenue. The Kirkland store will occupy a space of 61,000 sq.ft., which was formerly occupied by Larry’s Supermarket, at 120th Place. The buildings will be completely reconfigured and remodeled to accommodate G.I. Joe’s stores. The sporting goods and outdoor supplies retailer operates approximately 20 locations in OR and WA. The stores carry items for outdoor activities (camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, and snow and water skiing), including apparel and footwear. It also sells trailer hardware, storage racks, radar detectors, and other automotive gear to make your ride roadtrip ready. In addition to its stores, G.I. Joe’s sells through catalogs and online.
O’Charley’s, Inc. (615-256-8500) is planning to remodel and reopen eight Nashville, TN area locations with its RevO’lution program. The project includes both physical and operational enhancements at the restaurants. The company operates and franchises more than 230 of its namesake casual-dining restaurants throughout 16 states across the southeastern and midwestern U.S. Its eateries feature moderately priced menu items such as steak, chicken, pasta, and seafood. O’Charley’s also owns Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub, a chain of more than 100 casual-dining spots located primarily in New England, and seven Stoney River Legendary Steaks locations offering more-upscale dining.
Brown Shoe Co., Inc. (314-854-4000) is planning to open a total of 90 stores during fiscal 2006. Brown Shoe owns approximately 950 Famous Footwear stores in the U.S., about 290 Naturalizer stores in the U.S. and Canada, and 16 F.X. LaSalle stores around Montreal, Canada. Besides its venerable Buster Brown line, its brands include Airstep, Connie, LifeStride, and Nickels; it also sells Bass, Star Wars, Hot Kiss, and Disney licensed footwear. It distributes footwear worldwide through more than 2,000 retailers, including independent, chain (DSW), and department stores (Sears). Brown Shoe is opening stores, closing underperforming ones, and updating styles to appeal to youth.
Genesco, Inc. (615-367-7000) is planning to open approximately 100 Hat World stores and 25 Journeys Kidz stores during fiscal 2007. The company sells casual and dress shoes, primarily for men and boys, to some 1,600 U.S. and Canadian department, discount, and specialty stores, as well as through about 1,850 company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to its Jarman, Johnston & Murphy and Journeys stores, Genesco operates Underground Station stores, which target urban men 18 to 35 years old. The company also operates Shi by Journeys, Lids, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Head Quarters and Cap Connection stores. Shoes made by Genesco include its Johnston & Murphy line, as well as a line of licensed Dockers brand footwear. The company also licenses its Johnston & Murphy brand for use on accessories and apparel.
Mel’s Drive-In (415-387-2244) is opening a location at the Parasol building in Seal Beach, CA. The restaurant, with a 1950s retro-feel is planned for a spring 2007 opening. The restaurants specialize in breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. The company currently operates seven Mel’s locations throughout San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA.
Uniqlo USA, Inc. (212-221-9037) is opening a 36,000 sq.ft. Uniqlo store in the SoHo section of New York, NY. The SoHo flagship store will be the largest of the company’s 730 stores worldwide. The Japanese retailer specializes in low-priced basics such as sweaters, jeans, T-shirts and sweats.
Ultimate Franchise Systems, Inc. (407-333-8998) is opening two Sobik’s Wing Way restaurants during the coming months. There are now three co-branded Sobik’s Wing Way restaurants out of the 30 Sobik’s locations in operation. The Wing Way menu includes buffalo wings served with different sauces Black Angus burgers and seasoned fries. Sobik’s menu features 20 types of popular sub sandwiches as well as a variety of salads. Ultimate Franchise Systems franchises and develops a number of different restaurant concepts and offers management services to growing eatery chains. It has stakes in about 10 different chains, including Central Park, Jreck Subs, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Obee’s Subs and Sobik’s Subs. It also has a stake in Flamers Burgers & Chicken, as well as Famous Food Group, franchisor of Uncle Al’s Famous Hot Dogs, and Gator’s Dockside. The company also provides consulting services in such areas as training, marketing, product prep, and purchasing to its affiliated restaurants.
Beaner’s Coffee (517-482-8145) is planning to open a total of 57 stores. Following the openings, the company will be operating locations throughout nine states from MI and FL. The company is planning to continue its expansion in the Midwest and South this year. The company currently operates 48 locations. Beaner’s has opened six stores this year and plans to open 19 more by the end of 2006. There currently are franchises in six states, including 35 in MI, nine in OH, and stores in IN, WI, AL and SC. Beaner’s specializes in gourmet coffee and fine teas. The coffee houses feature more than 30 specialty coffee, tea and frozen drinks. Each day, the store brews six special coffees, and carries a broad selection of pastries, fruit, soups and sandwiches.
Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc. (909-783-5000) is opening Stater Bros. supermarkets in San Jacinto, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Highland, CA. The store in Highland will be a 70th anniversary supermarket. Stater Bros. Holdings operates more than 162 full service Stater Bros. Markets throughout six counties, primarily in the Riverside and San Bernardino, CA areas. The supermarket chain also owns and operates Heartland Farms, provider of Knudsen Dairy products to Southern CA and one of the state’s largest milk processors.
Payless ShoeSource, Inc. (785-233-5171) is planning to open as many as 70 stores during the fiscal year, while relocating approximately 120 locations. Payless ShoeSource operates approximately 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 dress, athletic, and casual shoes; slippers; boots; and sandals for men, women, and kids. It primarily targets women between the ages of 18 and 49. Its North American stores stock, on average, 6,700 pairs of shoes in 500 styles. The company also operates Bundles, and Tootsies (socks and accessories) stores.
Gottschalks, Inc. (559-434-4800) is planning to expand throughout OR. The company’s stores anchor smaller city malls and offer moderately priced and better namebrand consumer goods, such as clothes, shoes, housewares, and accessories. Gottschalks operates approximately 63 department stores, mostly in CA with 39 locations, but also in AK with six stores, ID with three stores, NV with two locations, OR with four stores and WA with nine locations. It also sells larger-sized women’s clothing in its six Village East specialty stores. Gottschalks bought the nine-store Harris chain in 1998 from Spanish retailer El Corte Inglés, which owns about 15% of the firm.
Zara International, Inc. (212-343-1725) is planning to expand throughout Asia and the U.S. The company expects to open more than one outlet each day in coming years for a total of more than 4,000 by 2009, up from 2,800 locations currently. Zara already has approximately 40 stores from Bangkok to Tokyo. In the U.S., the company plans to double its store count to more than 50 by 2009. Expansion in the U.S. will be planned for the East Coast and West Coast. Zara stores offers the latest trends in international fashion in an environment of thought-out design. Its stores, located in the main commercial areas of cities across Europe, America and Asia, offer forward fashion styles for men and women. Zara is part of the Inditex group, one of the largest fashion retail groups worldwide. Inditex has seven other retail chains: Kiddy’s Class, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho and Zara Home.
Saks, Inc. (205-940-4000) is planning to expand by opening its first Saks Fifth Avenue stores throughout Mexico. The company entered into a license agreement with Grupo Sanborns, which will own and operate the stores under the license agreement with Saks Fifth Avenue. The first Mexico store, a planned 150,000 sq.ft., tri-level location, is slated to open during September 2007 at the Santa Fe Shopping Center located in Mexico City. Saks operates 55 Saks Fifth Avenue luxury department stores throughout 25 states, 50 outlet stores under the Off 5th banner, and 60-plus Club Libby Lu specialty shops.
bebe stores, Inc. (415-715-3900) is planning to open 50 stores for fiscal 2007. The number of planned stores includes 28 bebe stores, 21 BEBE SPORT stores and one Neda by bebe store. The company designs and sells contemporary women’s clothing and accessories under the bebe, BEBE SPORT, and bebe O brands through about 225 stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico; abroad through licensees; and online. The company targets hip, body-conscious 21- to 35-year-olds. bebe dropped its bbsp line in favor of the casual BEBE SPORT. bebe licenses its name for items such as eyewear and swimwear. More than 90% of bebe’s products are designed in-house and produced by contract manufacturers.
Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. (260-482-4673) is opening three stores this year, with locations planned for Jefferson Pointe in Fort Wayne, IN; at Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, AZ and in Dayton, OH. The company is planning more openings in 2007. The company designs and makes quilted handbags, travel bags, as well as travel accessories such as cosmetic bags, curling iron covers, and pocket wallets. The company’s products are available in more than 3,000 gift and specialty stores and about a half a dozen Vera Bradley retail stores. In addition to handbags and travel bags, the stores offer licensed products, including Vera Bradley brands rugs, lighting, furniture and other products.
Borders Group, Inc. (734-477-1100) is opening a 22,202 sq.ft. Borders store at Merrymeeting Plaza, a center located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 1 and 24 in Brunswick, ME during November. Borders Group operates stores throughout 50 states, as well as in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Singapore. Its more than 1,240 retail stores include 525 Borders superstores, about 675 mall-based Waldenbooks stores, and almost 35 UK-based Books etc. shops. The stores also sell music, videos, and DVDs.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (407-245-4000) is planning to open 30 to 35 Olive Garden restaurants this year. Darden Restaurants operates more than 1,400 restaurants throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its flagship chains include seafood segment leader Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Both chains cater to families with mid-priced menu items, themed interiors, and primarily suburban locations. Darden also operates a small chain of tropical-themed Bahama Breeze restaurants that offer Caribbean-inspired food, along with Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, a chain of barbeque eateries.
CBRL Group, Inc. (615-444-5533) is planning to open a 10,101 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant at the intersection of U.S. 60 East and Barret Boulevard in Evansville, IN. Area retail includes Wal*Mart Supercenter. The company operates approximately 543 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants throughout about 40 states, which are known for their country kitsch, rustic decor, and down-home cooking. The eateries offer mostly standard American fare, such as chicken, ham, and roast beef dishes but are most popular as breakfast spots. Each Cracker Barrel location features a retail area where patrons can buy hand-blown glassware, cast iron cookware, and woodcrafts, as well as jellies and old-fashioned candies. CBRL also owns the Logan’s Roadhouse chain, with more than 160 company-owned and franchise steak restaurants in roughly 20 states.
Aldi, Inc. (800-388-2534) is planning to expand throughout FL, with a focus on the Orlando market. The company is looking to open 20 locations throughout the Orlando area. The German-owned food retailer operates more than 800 U.S. locations throughout the Midwest and the East Coast. Aldi stores sell mostly private label brands, which accounts for more than 90% of its stock. Overall, the company plans to open as many as 100 locations throughout FL.
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc. (858-587-1500) is opening a Charlotte Russe store at Northpark Mall in Joplan, MO next month. The space was formerly occupied by the Gap and Mr. Bulky’s. The mall-based retailer operates more than 400 Charlotte Russe and Rampage clothing stores in approximately 42 states and Puerto Rico. Its stores offer established and trendy fashions for women ages 15 to 35 and priced 20% to 30% lower than competitors.
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (303-440-5220) is opening a 35,000 sq.ft. prototype store at the Twenty Ninth Street retail district in Boulder, CO. The company also is opening its headquarters at the site in the first quarter of 2007. Wild Oats Markets operates approximately 110 full-service stores throughout 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. Its stores provide natural, organic, and traditional grocery items, as well as environmentally friendly household products. The stores operate under the Capers Community Market, Henry’s Farmers Markets, Sun Harvest Farms (in TX), and the Wild Oats Natural Marketplace names. It also has bakeries, coffee and juice bars, and massage therapists in most stores.
AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (212-541-3300) is opening an Ann Taylor Loft store at the Twenty Ninth Street retail district in Boulder, CO this month. The company is a national retailer of upscale women’s clothing designed exclusively for its stores. Its Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft shops offer apparel, shoes, and accessories. Targeting fashion-conscious professional women, AnnTaylor operates about 825 stores throughout 46 states across the nation, as well as in Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Most stores are located in malls and upscale retail centers. Ann Taylor Loft stores offer their own label of mid-priced apparel, while Ann Taylor Factory Stores offer clearance merchandise.
JCPenney Co., Inc. (972-431-1000) is opening a JCPenney store at Centerpoint of Woodridge, a center located in west suburban Woodridge, IL. The space was formerly occupied by Kmart. The retailer runs more than 1,000 JCPenney department stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, of which approximately 20 are freestanding. |