Spend Date Night at Whole Foods

Friday is here, and that means date night has arrived. It's an opportunity to reconnect or get connected with your significant other after a hectic week spent in the confines of a cubicle. And typically, date night involves one of my favorite things in the entire world--eating. So, is it wrong that I want to spend date night at Whole Foods?

Confused? Then, perhaps you haven't sampled the organic retailer's "groceraunt."

That's right, I said groceraunt. It's a hybrid between a grocery store and a restaurant, and a completely new word--one I'm pretty sure even Webster's hasn't gotten a hold of yet. I can't imagine that Whole Foods could be any more fabulous than it already is, unless, of course, they dropped their prices significantly and stopped importing from China, but I digress. On the up side, their stores have great atmospheres, are well-lit, environmentally conscious and feature a selection of delicious and healthy foods. They're bakery rocks (I can actually get wheat-free pastries!) and the deli is delish. But now, a restaurant...er...I mean, groceraunt? I'm intrigued...

Allegedly, the new groceraunt features wide-screen televisions, a chef performing in-store cooking lessons, a wine-tasting bar and a brick-oven pizza counter. Yum!

In late February, Whole Foods opened up a groceraunt in the Northeast Valley of Arizona. Are more to come? It's hard to tell, as my inquires to the Whole Foods national and Northwest press went unanswered. So, I'm simply left to speculate.

Since I already spend my Friday nights roaming the aisles of my local Whole Foods in Portland, Ore., (grocery stores are a good place to meet men, at least according to Cosmo) it would really help my social life and keep me from having to cook. Two birds, one stone. You know what I'm saying? I love the concept and hope we'll see more groceraunts in the future.

Do you have a groceraunt in your city? Or do you have some inside info on Whole Foods' future groceraunt plans? Hook me up and leave a comment here.

--Heather Strang

R.I.P. Enclosed Malls

It's the end of an era. It seems like only yesterday that I trotted down the large aisles of my favorite mall, Orange Julius in hand, donning one of my favorite outfits--fashionable leggings, an oversized sweater, bangles and gold hoops. But those days, my friends, are over.

Enclosed shopping malls are dead. Maybe you didn't get the invite to the funeral, but it's true. In fact, the last enclosed shopping mall was built in 2006 in the United States. Since then, nothing. And there isn't much hope that they're coming back anytime soon.

We've moved on--to lifestyle centers--the new open-air formats that are currently all the rage. Retailers know the importance of creating a space where shoppers will want to stay and linger longer, not to mention consume more. In the '80s that was the closed mall format. Today, it's a lifestyle center complete with high-end retailers, big-box stores, restaurants, an optical center, jewelry store and a cinema. There's no Orange Julius in a lifestyle mall. Oh no, we're over that.

According to Erin Hershkowitz, spokeswoman for the International Council of Shopping Centers, the shift to open-air format malls is an "evolution in the industry." Shoppers are seeking a place they can spend more "leisure time" as opposed to just shopping time. This change in demand has forced a different type of mall to sprout, to meet consumer needs.

Lifestyle malls just feel, I don't know--better. Even in the rain. It feels like a community--a big, bright shiny community filled with an assortment of activities and stores. Who wouldn't love that?!

So what do you think about this change? Do you long for the enclosed malls or love the new lifestyle centers? Have a favorite? I dig the Streets of Tanasbourne in Portland, Ore. They've got everything a girl needs--an REI, Macy's, Gap, Banana Republic and a P.F. Chang's--to name a few.

Leave a comment with your favorite open-air mall here or why you miss enclosed malls.

--Heather Strang

Will Everlast Ever Have a Store?

The other day it suddenly occurred to me that sports and fitness brand Everlast doesn't have any retail stores. Sure they sell their products at sporting goods retailers, through catalogs and online, but what about a storefront purely dedicated to their brand? (If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know!)

Everlast is mostly known for its boxing-related sporting goods equipment and apparel, but the company has branched out to other areas like fitness, footwear and other complementary product categories. Another interesting thing about this company is that, while it does have a sort of masculine appeal (I mean boxing is pretty much as male as it gets), it also has a lot of great products for women too. Not that I'm a boxer or anything (the thought of myself boxing makes me laugh..trust me, it would make you laugh too), but their fitness clothes are great for just working out or playing tennis (my fav are their Energy Studio jackets and pants).

I think Everlast could capitalize off their apparel lines and launch a standalone concept--maybe one that caters to men, or women or both. Think of the creative possibilities, like a store with a boxing ring in the center! Or maybe one that offers boxing or other fitness classes on weekends--part gym, part store. What better way to motivate yourself to workout than to promise yourself a round of shopping afterwards? Now that's a "round" where I could guarantee a K.O.

--Jessie Bove

Top This Sergio Rossi!

New store openings can be more than a little stressful. There are the festivities, food and drink, press releases, the media and--oh, wait--shoppers! New stores need consumers, which often means coming up with clever grand opening giveaways and events. Sure, 99 Cents Stores give away iPods and that seems to work for them, but what about stores with merchandise far over 99 cents?

Sergio Rossi set the bar much higher for all retailers with his recent Melrose Place store opening in California. He chose a nice, elegant celebrity guest list--Salma Hayek and Vanessa Williams were the biggies--and sent them goods from his luxurious footwear and accessories collections. Then, he invited them, wearing his collections of course, to an intimate dinner at a swanky restaurant. And if  a picture really is worth a 1,000 words, then Rossi got his 1,000 words. There are now photos of Salma clasping his red patent leather clutch and  wearing patent leather and silk platforms from Rossi's new S/S collection. Nice work Sergio!

But, it gets better. Salma and friends then noshed on a five-course meal, and from there were whisked off to a decadent shopping spree at Rossi's new store. Did I mention that Teri Weinberg and Marc Abrams of NBC were also present? Um, yeah. Afterwards, Rossi autographed all the celebs' shoes.

Shameless? Maybe. Genius? Absolutely.

So now that Rossi slapped us all in the face with a fabulous opening--one that was sure to garner press (I'm writing about it, after all) and increased store awareness--I'm now in search of an even bigger and better opening. After a quick brainstorming session, I came up with the ideas below for store opening events:

-Come by and get your picture taken with Carmen Electra (who's covered head to toe in your goodies).
-Free chocolate truffles, all day long.
-Sing with the Dixie Chicks and receive an autographed CD. (P.S. They're decked out in your clothes!)
-On-site massages and a goodie bag filled with teases for larger store purchases, i.e. sassy luggage tag if you sell travel gear.
-In-store brunch for the first 20 guests while everyone else peers in from outside. Then private shopping time for up to two hours.
-Meet Regis Philben at our grand opening (who doesn't love Regis?!)
-Give Simon Cowell the tongue lashing he deserves, come to our opening and tell him what you really think!
-Have a midnight sleepover and shop-a-thon at our grand opening with Ellen DeGeneres. Live DJ all night long.

What do you think? Have a fantastic idea for a store opening promotion that can even top Rossi's fabulousity? Leave a comment here with your ideas.

--Heather Strang

Love at First Light

Another furniture store opening on the fringes of SoHo (NYC) where overpriced showrooms are as plentiful as Starbucks might not be the kind of news that sets your heart racing. It may be a hip and happenin’ neighborhood, but take note there are 742 listings for furniture in zip code 10013. So the grand opening of Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams’ first standalone store at 210 Lafayette St. was met by jaded New Yorkers with crossed arms and squinted eyes.

Upon arriving at the store, there were several promising black limos stretched out in front of the façade. There were klieg lights tracing the firmament of night sky for stars, not unlike the way old Hollywood premieres once traced Sunset Boulevard for movie stars. The closest approximation to which was only partners Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams. Both were charming hosts.

Resembling more of a swank after hour’s club than a furniture store, the rooms were quickly crowded in the black sea--that’s the New York uniform of slim cut suits and short cocktail dresses, in you guessed it, black. New Yorkers, it is said, wear black, and will always wear black, until something darker comes along. It was an unusually handsome and smart looking crowd. It was an unusually “cruisy” amalgam. The men were so well dressed I wondered if they had just fallen off the pages of Detail or GQ. Even the boyish waiters appeared to have fallen off a truck at central casting. I was the only (and I do mean only) fish out of water, in my Alexander Julian striped shirt, and bright green tie, the shade of which could be compared to a shamrock in a bowl of Lucky Charms.

Hosting an event in a new store is risky business, one canapé or glass of red wine accidentally toppled could spell the end to a pricey bed or sectional. Still, it was a wonderful site to hold the event as the multiple rooms rife with overstuffed furniture, and primped up beds provided ample seating, and tons of conversational clusters.

The DJ played a fun and fabulous mix of classics and standards from the '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s, and it was not unusual to hear Bill Withers being mixed with Madonna or Rose Royce. Without any room to boogie, one felt that they had stepped into a magic time capsule, and had been magically transported back to a time of youth. It was a brilliant and unexpected stroke of marketing strategy as the Gold and Williams' furniture settings hark back to specific design references from the '40s to present. The minimalist furniture settings providing any number of suitable backdrops, like a Hollywood movie set to play out your scene. Above which, each tableau contains a whimsical comment to capture the irreverent sensibility of the company, like above a lamp display, “Love at first light,” or above a convertible bed display “we’re open to one night stands.” I pondered how true that sentiment might be of several particularly attractive guests.

If Gold & Williams’ name is not easily recognized, don’t lose heart. If they have fallen below your radar, you’ve probably seen their work elsewhere. Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams products are sold through some of the country's top furniture giants and their catalogs, including Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, LL Bean, Neiman Marcus and ABC Carpet & Home. Their furniture is so popular that hip hotel chains such as the W Hotels or Rande Gerber's Whiskey Bars treat their guests to Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams furniture in their establishments. Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, do not have an Oprah Winfrey as muse, as does colleague Nate Berkus. They do not have a TV makeover show as do Tom Felicia, Doug Wilson or Christopher Lowell. They instead rest on their considerable skills, hard work and exquisite taste. They move quietly. There are more interested in promoting their product, not themselves.

--Ron Knoth, Guest Blogger

I, Like, Totally Heart Fashion Valley!

Songs aren't written about this glorious location for nothing. A place where the sun always shines, the people are beautiful and the shopping is spectacular. In California, anything is possible.

Even an upscale shopping mall called Fashion Valley, located in San Diego. While the name may lend itself to soap-opera-like images, it's actually a 1.7 million-sq.-ft. shopping center frequented by upwards of 18 million shoppers every year. That's more than the combined annual attendance of Sea World, Legoland, San Diego Padres, San Diego Chargers, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

Can you imagine what this place is like for holiday shopping?!

Oh, and it gets better--check this out--Fashion Valley is also only one of three venues worldwide to include the decadent shopping combo of Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. Hence, the 18 million shoppers. Think that's luxurious? Just wait. Things are about to get so much hotter.

In 2008, Fashion Valley will welcome Barneys New York COOP, CH Carolina Herrera, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Just Cavalli, M Missoni, Michael Kors and Tourneau. That's like a luxury shopping overdose! Many of these retailers are entering the San Diego market for the first time, so you know the 18 million + shoppers will be dying to get a chance to shop at any one of these new stores.

With that many high-end retailers making their grand entrance in 2008, it's obvious that good things come in nice, big packages. When I called Fashion Valley to confirm that their 2008 retailers will all be opening at the same time, their representative could neither confirm or deny this report. Touché. They like to be mysterious too...

While typically, one or two stores will enter a shopping location together, rarely do they do it all at once. It sounds like this might be the strategy for Fashion Valley in 2008. I like it because it sends a powerful message to the shopping public--Fashion Valley is the place to be (duh!).

In addition, throughout 2008, Anthropologie, H&M, Juicy Couture and True Religion will also call Fashion Valley home. The goal is, of course, to make San Diego and thus, Fashion Valley, the location for trendy, high-end shopping. And it's working. Even the retailers are convinced. With CH Carolina Herrera boutique's due to open this month, she had this to say:

"I just adore Southern California. Fashion Valley is fantastic," said Carolina Herrera. "I love how you can walk around in the sun to see all the other great shops. I cannot wait to open my own CH Carolina Herrera boutique there."

I'm on board! Frankly, I would love to see luxury retailers go into an upscale area all at once. The impact would be huge, especially if it's their first time entering the market.

What do you think? All for one, one for all? Or is it best to maximize publicity and stroll into a market all by yourself? Would love to hear your retailing thoughts...

--Heather Strang

Hellooo Zara

Finally. Atlanta finally has a Zara (enter rejoicing voices here)! The Spanish fast-fashion retailer recently opened up a store at Lenox Square mall, which I just so happened to stumble upon during a "research excursion" (it's okay, you can admit that you're jealous, my job is pretty awesome). A sign announcing the new store caught me by surprise and pointed me down the revamped wing of the mall with a big fabulous arrow and the words "Now Open."

"Now open?!" I practically screamed in disbelief. I don't think anyone has ever made such a sharp turn before--I bolted down the corridor with images of cute tops and stylish pants dancing through my head in a fashion-frenzy-induced, almost rabid state. Upon reaching the storefront, I did a quick glance-over and dashed inside, restraining myself from rushing forward with arms outstretched, shouting "gimme, gimme, gimme" (not to be confused with the new Britney Spears song). Once inside, a fashion mecca greeted me with a plethora of affordable work suits, coats, dresses and tops galore. I spent a good amount of time inside the store, as if stuck in a kind of time warp where the minutes (hours?) seemed to disappear into space. After carefully perusing the plentitude of racks for every possible item of clothing that might tickle my fancy, I left the store with one sole item--a deep chocolate brown, v-neck, supersoft blouse (for only $20!). I was in fashion heaven.

Unfortunately, a little bit of hell tainted my paradise in the form of unknowledgeable and rude sales associates. But have no fear, I was still happy as can be--no one, not even a snide saleswoman, could ruin my day.  I chocked it up to the fact that the store was still new and the staff was still getting acclimated. We'll see if this is the case the next time I go back.

In terms of store design, I have no complaints. The location isn't the most innovative thing I've seen, but it is pleasant enough--nice layout, easy-to-shop, and cozy yet modern. Definitely more approachable than the Zara in Dadeland Mall in Miami (which is pretty nice itself).

Now that Zara is here, the next step is H&M, which is expected to open up in the mixed-use center Atlantic Station in spring 2008. I don't particularly like frequenting Atlantic Station because it is a little far from where I live, but I do make exceptions--especially in the name of "research."

--Jessie Bove

Photo: The Zara at Union Square in San Francisco

 

Retail Makes Its Move into Paradise

Back in the day, one went to Hawaii for a vacation--a little surf, sand and relaxation. The only problem was, you'd have to stay close to the major cities or you'd be stuck driving 30 minutes-plus to get groceries and go shopping. What a drag! Luckily, big-time mainland retailers like Target, Nordstrom, Whole Foods and J.Crew are saving the day by setting up shop in Hawaii.

Retail development is washing over the Hawaiian Islands like crazed lava flow. Retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Costco and Home Depot have already tasted the sweet success of Hawaii, watching their sales skyrocket. The lack of construction workers and retail employees is no longer a hang-up and more retailers than ever before are jumping on board.

Walgreens recently announced plans to open 25-30 stores to better compete with Longs Drugs, and Target will have two locations open by 2009. Nordstrom will have a Honolulu store by spring 2008, while Whole Foods plans to open four stores over the next three years. Now I can sip my tasty beverage, stare at the ocean all day and then go shopping at my favorite retailers. Aloha & Mahalo, baby!

But, even paradise has a down side.

Construction on the Whole Foods store in Oahu recently received a major delay when workers uncovered an ancient Hawaiian burial ground on site. Yikes! Well, it could be worse--on the Kohala Coast, the Queens Marketplace is in the midst of a barren lava field. How's that for location?!

And just because demand is up, doesn't mean things will move as quickly as they do in the U.S. According to a recent New York Times article, “Everything in Hawaii, like making deals, can take twice as long.” Yep, when you're in Hawaii--whether on vacation or a retailer hoping to cash in on the money-making train--you're on island time. But, who cares? You're in Hawaii. While the construction workers decide what to do with the ancient burial site, grab a pina colada and relax on the beach. Seriously. It would do you some good.

Even though construction costs are 30 percent higher in Hawaii, retail vacancy is at an ultra-low 3 percent. It looks as though retailers have some serious island fever. And, I for one think it's fabulous. A-lo-ha!

Know about a retailer that has plans to make it in Hawaii? Fill us in!

--Heather Strang

When Retailers Get It Right

I love it when retailers get it right. I love to see the “little guy,” the proverbial “underdog,” succeed. I guess I relate, and that’s a story I would like to tell today.

“Caravan,” a now successful store (actually two stores with a third opening shortly), was founded in 2005. Without a farthing to her name, let alone a down payment for a NY City store rental, and simply no capitol to stock a store, enterprising owner Claudine Gumbel simply operated her business out of a RV. That's right, a recreational vehicle. Her RV was loaded up will all sorts of designer goodies, and parked randomly throughout the city. In short, the store came to you. It promised exclusivity, a valuable commodity in New York, elsewhere too I imagine. The Caravan attracted young women who wanted to shop for a sweet little dress, or silky blouse on their lunch hours with the other girls in the office, but didn’t know where to go, let alone have time to shop during lunch. Shopping is, after all, practically a form of dieting these days. The Caravan became a cause celeb; a social destination; a special “girl’s only” treat during the grueling work week.

Owner Gumbel learned quickly what her customers wanted, and with her already sharp fashion sense, collected site-specific garments based on her customer’s demographics. Gumbel is a hard working, astute businessperson--a waif of a girl, petite, soft-spoken, charming and delectably delicious to look at. She could be Carrie Bradshaw’s doppelganger. Office parties were organized around the caravan’s arrival, sizes were called in advance with specific requests to the innovative Gumbel, who loaded up the truck accordingly. The Caravan was a success--often available for shopping parties, fundraising events and showers. Think of the brag factor around the water cooler, “Mercy, no I don’t have time to schlep to (you fill in the blank), my stylist is bringing me a few things to look at during my next coffee break. Do you want me to ask them to bring a few things for you?” Each week, Caravan’s Web site lists the neighborhoods the RV will be located, making each destination a special event, something special to share with your co-workers, something special to look forward to. It was an immediate and resounding success.

In the time it takes to parallel park in the city, Gumbel opened a store for those of us who aren’t accustomed to mobility. The store has a laid-back lounge feel, DJ booth and ample seating so that window shoppers and boyfriends in tow can rest and socialize. The store is available for private events. Why not hold your 27th birthday in a way cool store rather than your 5th floor studio walkup with rickety old folding chairs? Who knows, maybe your guests sans gift, can all chip in for something super special for you, and you can pick it out, change in the dressing room, and model it for them right there. You’ll be the belle of the ball. Not content with hiring commonly dull salespeople, the staff are really stylists in training, and are well versed in styling for the fashion challenged. It’s a brilliant strategic personnel maneuver! They enjoy dressing customers, and are happy to offer a second opinion. If you don’t see what you want, you need only to ask, the staff will do their best to get it. Gumbel applied her retail savvy and introduced men’s clothing into the mix. Now dreamy-eyed couples can shop together, or smart young women can help redress their sloppy, albeit cute, boyfriends in designer jeans and sexy knot tops to adorn their arms. Gumbel’s equally adorable husband Brian, no relation to the pompous newscaster, is a public relations entrepreneur and one of NY’s best dressed ones at that, thanks to his clever wife. It pays to advertise.

Caravan has some of the hottest, trendiest clothes in all of Manhattan. It’s mostly designer, and provides one of the most complimentary and eclectic mixes of clothing in the city. In this global economy, where fashion immigrates from all over the world, it’s not unusual to find key pieces of clothing from England, Sweden, France, Canada, Thailand, Spain, Denmark, Africa, Brazil, Norway, and even the good old USA. After all, NY is the nation’s melting pot. The store celebrates the world of fashion, and the world is larger than most retailers let on. If Caravan has it, it's smart.

Recently Caravan hosted a standing-room-only fashion show presentation at The Manhattan Pavilion for those of us not invited to the tent shows in Bryant Park (and there are many) for Fashion Week. A stroke of brilliance, as we could all boast to our colleagues that we were off to a fashion show. Love it! Customers were lined up half way down 19th Street. The complicated show went off without a hitch. Most interesting to note was that none of the clothing was over-priced, pretentious, phony-baloney couture. It was all ready-to-wear, aka street fashion. The collections held together seamlessly, demonstrating that everyone can be fashionable, and stay on budget. Models were not of the severe, pouty, constipated types one is accustomed to—many, in fact, proffering smiles that belied their enjoyment. Smiling at a fashion show? How scandalous. The audience ate it up! It was absolutely entrancing. Furthermore, love was in the air, as several ensembles were sent down the catwalk on models strolling hand in hand, just like real life. How cute is that? The vibe was perfect! Best of all, guests could place their orders right after the show. No need to bother with setting up appointments, fittings, the months-long wait for the couturier to produce or waiting for it to finally make its way to a major department store. It’s all available. Versatile designers like Vivienne Westwood, J. Lindeberg, H. Fredriksson and Fred Perry with their distinctive fashion vocabulary were well integrated into the show with designers like Social Atelier, Keep A Child Alive and Moods, who are comparatively slang designers, providing a hip, urbane and harmonious mix of well established, and the avant garde.

If you are not in the Metropolitan area and still want to shop, the caravan may not be traveling to your municipality, but you can shop from their Web site www.shopcaravan.com. For you other retailers who complain about the state of the economy, boo-hoo-hoo, and how the “big guys” are squeezing them out, boo-hoo-hoo, who wait for customers to come to them, or who seldom offer an event to lure customers in, take note. Shopping is fun, shopping is a form of entertainment. Caravan gets it!

--Ron Knoth, Guest Blogger

Photo: By Kim Wiseley

DDI Tours American Girl Boutique and Bistro

At a press opening on August 17, 2007, American Girl unveiled its new retail concept--American Girl Boutique and Bistro--at North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Ga. DDI magazine was at the press opening of the new 12,000-sq.-ft. store, which was designed by FRCH Design Worldwide and which is the first of its kind in the United States. American Girl Boutique and Bistro features a fun environment for girls and their moms (or dads, or whichever other family members are brave enough to take their little ones inside) to shop American Girl products and to also have brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert in the bistro. The store also features a Doll Hair Salon and private party rooms for celebrating birthdays and special events. Step inside the store with DDI and watch our exclusive tour of the American Girl Boutique and Bistro…

Lock Up the Kids

I'm sure you're familiar with the saying, "Only in Hollywood." Well, get ready to use it for the following breaking news. The first-ever KIDS' spa opened in West Hollywood this month, complete with a cutesy name--Spa Di Da. That's right people, a kids' spa. And yes, only in Hollywood would a business so completely unnecessary be welcomed with open arms. The owner was utterly disgusted when she couldn't find a spa that offered her two young daughters a, "quality hair cut, manicure and pedicure." She then decided to open a kid's spa, so that spoiled children everywhere could be pampered to their heart's content. I have to applaud her entrepreneurism; she's definitely filling a niche. At Spa Di Da, kids receive chocolate facials, temporary tattoos, cupcake pedicures, ear piercing, special event hair styling and lemon manicures. There's even a "bracelet bar" where little girls can create their own jewelry. Girls can also receive make-up lessons (while feminists everywhere recoil in horror) and little boys learn how to shave. From a purely business standpoint, it's an amazingly lucrative concept. To be perfectly honest, it would be cool to receive a cupcake pedicure and a temporary tattoo that says, "Mikey Forever" (my grade school crush). Never mind what this type of superficial obsession may be doing to a child's psyche. But, hey, what do I know? Maybe kids in West Hollywood are different than the rest of us. 

--Heather Strang

Organic Royalty

If you haven't already heard, Whole Foods Market is making its debut in London this week--June 6 to be exact. And the new store, located near Hyde Park, is hitting the street in style. Occupying the former site of Britain's legendary department store, Barkers of Kensington, this location will serve as the initial gateway into the American brand, known for quality merchandise that while charging relatively high prices, has met a loyal following in the United States.

While Whole Foods has been successful in its home country by meeting the needs of--if not creating--an untapped market, some skeptics question how it will do in the U.K. Since Britain already has several established upscale organic food chains, one may wonder where Whole Foods will fit in. In an interesting article in The Observer, in a one-on-one interview with CEO John Mackey, he answers the question above by suggesting that superior customer service will appeal to the British consumer. "We'll do things that people have not seen before. People will get excited," he told The Observer.

If Whole Foods offers the compelling store environment in London that it offers in this country (which seems to be the case--with the renovation of the iconic Barkers Building), I think the retailer will do quite well. I'd love to see the store in person but would settle for pictures in the meantime if anyone would like to send them my way: rachelbrown@ddimagazine.com.

--Rachel Brown

 

Maxim-um Check-In

Well, Diva is getting ready to book her vacation this year, and I can tell you where she will not be going--to the Maxim Resort. It seems like everyone is trying to crowd into the lucrative hotel business these days--from Ian Schragger to Bulgari to Armani. That’s in addition to those Ws, Monacos and Starwoods. The Maxim entry [Maxim is a publication of Dennis Publishing, and it is the hottie magazine about sex and more sex, targeted at males] is bound to be red hot among certain males. The new resort, which opens in October, will be called Maxim Bungalows and will be located in the Dominican Republic, romantically situated on the side of a mountain. The 108 studio and one- and two-bedroom bungalows will have fancy high tech gadgets, and there is a lounge and a spa to keep guests mellow and fine-tuned while there. [Didn’t Playboy try hotels at one time?] Oh well, Diva will just wait until Vogue magazine or Ralph Lauren open a port of call. Then, there’s that wonderful Bulgari hotel in Milan--more Diva’s speed. [And in case you are wondering--no, we are not going to link to Maxim. You're on your own for that.]

--Diva

Tom and Charlotte Spice Up the Neighborhood

Last week, Diva visited the uber-high-end store Tom Ford just opened in New York City at Madison and 70th Street. [You remember Tom Ford--he used to design for Gucci.] From the snooty doormen to the roped-off, private upper floor--gained by ascending a spiral staircase in a closet-size enclosure--it is the epitome of male ostentation. Move over Brioni and Zegna and Ralph; there is a serious new competitor in town [actually, some of these clothes are by Zegna]. Tom brings a stylized residential quality into the store interior, with luxury materials--the designer must have thought he won the store design budget lottery. The best Italian marble--the classic, black-and-white small-grained type one usually sees in Italian castles--and highly polished, exotic wood paneling dominate the interior throughout. In the formal entry, a metal desk is draped with a metal crocodile hide--very eye-catching, and a good conversation piece. In one room, elegant side chairs and a cushy sofa sit in front of a fireplace, which holds a single, large rock crystal, instead of a fire. Another room, with floor-to-ceiling shelving, is stacked with men’s shirts--but the adjacent fitting rooms, though luxuriously appointed, are the size of water closets on a European train. In the rear is Diva’s favorite redoubt, the fragrance salon, all marble and mirrors and sexy smells. Rumor is that Tom tried to incorporate the feeling of his private homes [yes, plural] into the store. If you are into male hyper-indulgence, check this one out. But expect to be snubbed by that doorman if you don’t leave with a shopping bag filled with one of those $4,000 silk bathrobes [well they are gorgeous prints].

Also near Madison, in the '70s, is the new retail effort of Charlotte Moss, a multi-story townhouse, filled with furniture and home accessory treasures. This feels like entering a private home--or perhaps like visiting the Kips Bay designer showhouse, also nearby this May. Every room has its own theme, including a library, filled with books and called the “Cabinet of Curiosities”--filled with antique natural history exhibits. There is enough silk and print fabrics and tassels and framed art to please any high-end decorator. Diva thought it harkened back to the interior design glory days of Billy Baldwin and his likes in the '70s. Upper East-Siders will coo over this one, and they can drop in to shop, while on their way to the nearby, neighborhood Dean & Deluca. This Moss [not to be confused with the Moss in SoHo--that one is a Murray] is well worth a detour the next time you are in New York.

--Diva

I Want a Starbucks

I want a Starbucks. No, I don't want to operate one or build one in my backyard. I want one in the office building where I work.

It all started on the way back to the office from lunch the other day. I was feeling an afternoon siesta calling me and started craving some caffeine to fend it off. But not just any caffeine would do. I wanted something very specific--a caramel frappucinno from Starbucks. It was hot outside; I was tired--it would have been the perfect fix. Problem was, by the time I realized I wanted/needed some coffee, I was already in the parking lot at work. Even if I had thought of it right after lunch, there wasn't a Starbucks conveniently located "on the way." Given, I know this may sound hard to believe since it sometimes seems like Starbucks is on every corner. So fine--if Starbucks is everywhere, then why isn't it in my office? Might as well. Think of all the extra caffeine-addicted employees that Starbucks could profit from if they held locations within office building lobbies! It would be genius. I'm not sure how many types of office locations Starbucks currently operates, but I do know that it's not nearly enough since there's not one in my building.

I guess these "office Starbucks" might take away some of the morning business the company's locations draw from commuters who include a trip to Starbucks as part of their daily routines. But it could make up for that lost business with the lunch time and mid-day sales it might have otherwise never seen. Not only would Starbucks profit, but so would businesses. With all that caffeine, employees would be extra-alert and productive. And we all know that productivity is good, right? Exactly.

I doubt I'll see a Starbucks opening up in my office anytime soon, but I can always dream right? ZZZZZZ

--Jessie Bove

Vegas Welcomes a New Miracle

Say good-bye to The Shops in Desert Passage in Las Vegas. Starting tomorrow, you can say hello to the Miracle Mile Shops. So why the name change? According to a press release from the center, the new name was chosen in part to promote the 1.2 miles of retail space the mall covers, and is designed to signal the center’s transformation to a sleeker, more urbanized and contemporary space.

The multi-million dollar makeover focuses on de-theming the original design for its transition into a more streamlined, contemporary look.  The renovation aims to create synergy with the more than $1 billion renovation and re-branding of the Aladdin Resort & Casino into the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

The Miracle Mile name is also meant to reflect the abundance of new, brand name and internationally recognized retailers that have acquired retail space inside the center. Miracle Mile Shops has already welcomed Urban Outfitters, Ben Sherman, Quiksilver, a Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex and the “churrasco”-style Brazilian restaurant, Pampas Churrascaria.  Miracle Mile Shops will soon also be home to H&M, Marciano, Trader Vic’s restaurant, Taverna Opa and Hawaiian Tropic Zone.

Architectural firms Gensler and the Friedmutter Group, in conjunction with Studio B Design, are the creative teams that will continue to transition Miracle Mile Shops through its image revamping project and are responsible for the center’s new name, logo, re-branding efforts and creative materials.

Enhancements currently underway include new, brighter interior lighting, streamlined and modernized storefronts and kiosks, and a completely de-themed interior.

Renovations to the center’s exterior include adding people movers for better access into the shops, a backlit sidewalk water feature and state-of-the-art LED video offering continuous streaming imagery. Additionally, many of the mall's entrances and existing retail locations have already been made over with floor-to-ceiling glass vestibule doors and storefronts. A new patio and terrace is also being built to extend out to the sidewalk and invite potential customers inside.

Miracle Mile Shops’ exterior renovations are expected to be completed by June. Miracle Mile Shops’ interior renovations will continue to be completed in phases through 2007 and 2008. So next time you hit up Vegas, you may want to stop by the Miracle Mile Shops and see the transformation for yourself. If you do make a visit, tell the Retail Design Diva all about it...she's dying to know!

--Jessie Bove

Get Your Blacklights and Whoopee Cushions Here!

This is why I love Spencer's. The store at the mall I've only frequented since high school to find halloween wigs and bachelorette party supplies, Spencer Gifts is a place I can spend the better part of an hour rummaging through the masses of "stuff" for sale. For example, there's the Peekaboo Pole Dancing To-Go kit, which includes an instructional DVD, "sexy" garter, 100 "Peekaboo Dance Dollars" and the amazing, expandable chrome-plated dance pole--only $79.99, what a deal! There's the Coors Light String Lights, which of course add a little class to any soiree. And let's not forget about the ever-lovable Humphrey the Humping Dog--ooooooooooooh! This is the best store ever, and the only retailer at the mall who can get away with the product it sells.

The retailer is celebrating the opening of its 100th store bearing its new design (created by JGA in 2004) at Flag Staff mall in Flag Staff, Ariz.

"Our new store design has enabled us to streamline processes and lower construction capital and operating costs," states Steven Silverstein, president and CEO. "We have experienced a significant improvement in the overall construction timeline and process, literally shaving off days from our previous timeline. Operating costs have experienced significant improvements as a result of switching to energy efficient lighting and HVAC units. In addition to the immediate savings in time and money this new design allows for future savings as well by allowing for cost effective and timely future retro-fits."

Spencer's plans to convert another 40-60 stores from its existing store base per year to this new design, in addition to adding new locations to its portfolio. What does that mean for us? More beer goggles, lava lamps and fart machines to go around. Hooray!

--Alison Embrey Medina

A Penneys for Your Thoughts

J.C. Penney Co. is a stodgy, family-oriented department store--right? Wrong. Diva says take another look. What used to be a laggard in the department store sector is now a leader. While there is no argument that the retailer still has a network of some older, out-of-date stores that need major renovation, its newer stores are fresh and appealing. And the merchandise content, in many instances, is close to being as good as some more upscale competitors, including Macy’s. Penneys has brought in Sephora to make its cosmetics and fragrance statement exciting and a host of fashion designers to brighten up apparel offerings. There’s even a deal underway with Polo Ralph Lauren. The company has a lot going for it these days, in its coast-to-coast stores. It has everything, it seems, except a store in New York.

But that’s on the way to being remedied. Last year, Penneys launched a virtual store--sometimes these are called pop-up stores--in New York’s Times Square. This was their second effort at pop-ups in the Big Apple [an earlier effort was a home furnishings store at Rockefeller Center]. The virtual store had merchandise displays and kiosks for online shopping, but no goods to be purchased on-site. It caused a lot of media hoopla, and helped introduce the brand to the city.

Now Penneys has announced that it is bringing a 150,000-sq.-ft. unit to Manhattan, to open in late 2008. The store is plunking down in Macy’s home territory, only a spitting distance [about a block] from Macy’s Herald Square, the biggest Macy’s installation in the country and a long-time New York landmark. [Of course, some of you may recall the hard times that another department store, A&S, experienced in the Manhattan Mall in the past. It is not an easy neighborhood in which to do business.] Additionally, Penneys plans to open 250 new units in the next five years, across the country.

Diva says: is this a brilliant real estate move--or could this be J.C. Penney CEO Myron Ulman’s revenge? [He used to work across the street at Macy’s earlier in his career.] Whatever the case, an interesting battle may ensue between the two retailers. Diva hopes that Penneys will do well, and that a bright new Penneys store will be an incentive for Macy’s to undertake a major renovation of it’s dowdy, neglected Herald Square unit--which is long overdue.

In any event, if you haven’t shopped a Penneys lately, take another look. You might be pleasantly surprised. Diva was, and Diva is a very picky shopper.

--Diva

Photo: The J.C. Penney store that opened in Flower Mound, Texas, March 2007.

Bloody A&F

Notoriously successful apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch opened its first European store last month in London--and boy are the Brits unhappy. According to British tabloid newspaper the Evening Standard, the American retailer is selling its T-shirts, sweatshirts and casual wear with huge mark-ups. In fact, A&F is charging almost DOUBLE for merchandise in its Savile Row store, compared to prices in its U.S. stores. So why the steep labels? A&F claims the higher price tags reflect the increased cost of operating in the U.K. because of business rates, staff and property.

But if you ask me, the reason why Abercrombie is charging such high numbers is...drumroll please...because they can. The legendary retailer launched a massive marketing campaign before its European debut, and no doubt it created a lot of hype. What better to compliment that hype than ridiculous prices? Sure people were probably outraged, but I don't think that stopped too many teens from parting with their cash--especially since the wait in line for a fitting room was reportedly at the 45-minute mark.

And while it may not be the "nicest" move on A&F's part, it certainly is genius. Make people wait a while; create enough buzz; charge a small fortune; watch them empty their pockets. A&F has earned the right to charge whatever they want for a pair of worn shorts--consumers gave them this ability by buying their products over the years. They'd be stupid not to use it to their advantage, and we're stupid for falling for it...

--Jessie Bove

Teletubbies Experience In NYC

You know, no one is a bigger fan of pop-up retail then I am.  Long before it was hip & cool, I was running a company called Location Based Branding (lbbinc.com), where I worked with companies like the WWE, Sports Illustarted and Baywatch to help bring the power of the themed entertainment experience to corporate America.  I started the Northeast chapter of the Themed Entertainment Association (themeit.com) because I thought brands represented the next frontier for the creative folks who built theme parks.  So I get the whole idea of creating pop-up experiences and I really believe that they will continue to help brands of all kinds engage their audiences. But this one, I haven't really liked since I first heard about it.  Not because I don't think the Teletubbies could be the basis for a cool experience, but because I didn't think they had the right strategy behind it.  As I've written about before, Teletubbies just doesn't seem to have the cult status that other kids shows have (like SpongeBob) nor is it kitschy enough like the sing-along Sound of Music.  In fact, while I know that it's wildly popular with its toddler audience, most adults I know can't stand it.  Kinda' like Barney.  And I've thought that creating an experience for Teletubbies and aiming it at older folks just didn't seem to be right.  Kids love them, so why not creating a really engaging experience for toddlers and let the parents be there for their kids.  I've done children's theatre for years and I know you can create content for the kids that the adults will enjoy as well. But this space didn't seem to really look appealing for either audience.  It didn't seem to be a cool place for kids to play.  I didn't really see any activities for kids at all.  And, it didn't grab me as an adult either.  And yea, I know that I'm way old.  But I act a lot like a kid--just ask my wife. Now, I was there at 4:30 on a Thursday afternoon, but I didn't move people out of the way to take these pictures.  Outside of three staff people, there was only one other person there, although she did make a purchase.  I'll try to go back at least one more time to see if it picks up at all. And, I do have to comment on the location.  Sure, they probably had a good laugh thinking about it being in the West Village after Jerry Falwell complained about one of the Teletubbies being gay, but really, not the right location.  I think it's too much of an inside joke, a little too wink, wink.  I thought the space looked great and the staff was excellent.  I just think that they got too off target, trying to be all hip & cool.  They should've really had faith in their ability to attract their real audience.  I think it should've been on the West Side, where they have lots of kids just waiting to be entertained by the Teletubbies. If anyone else has been to the store, let me know your thoughts.  I'm especially interested in an opposing opinion, so please leave your comments.

--David Polinchock

Walk Like an Egyptian

Burger King will soon be making its mark in Egypt. The Miami-based Burger King Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Burger King Europe GmbH, has signed a development agreement with Hana International Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Olayan Financing Co., the Saudi and Middle Eastern arm of The Olayan Group. Huh? Basically, it means that Hana has the exclusive right to develop the BK brand in Egypt and other north African countries. So the BK lounge will be claiming a spot in the land of the pyramids, plus many more places.

So when can we expect to see The King strutting his stuff in Egypt? Most likely in the first half of 2007, with the opening of the first Burger King restaurant at Cairo's City Stars Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the region. And according to a press release, "two further openings are due to follow shortly in Sharm El Sheikh, signaling the beginning of a large expansion program over the next five years."

Burger King signed its first development agreement with Olayan in 1991. Through Hana International, Olayan now operates or services more than 180 Burger King restaurants throughout the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and Lebanon. Currently, Burger King operates more than 11,100 restaurants in all 50 states and in more than 65 countries and U.S. territories worldwide.

No word yet on what kind of ad campaigns may be accompanying the expanding chain overseas. However, if I could make a suggestion: anything involving the guy in the giant "King" costume (from U.S. TV ad spots) would be awesome. Specifically, The King walking like an Egyptian ala The Bangles circa 1985, or perhaps The King dressed like a mummy. Maybe they could even change his name to The Pharaoh...All Hail the King!

--Jessie Bove

Photo: The Sphinx "having it his way."

Bigger Is Better

We all know that in America, bigger is better (unless you live in Hollywood of course). Just look at the meal portions in our restaurants, our skyscrapers or our SUVs. But we aren't the only ones--cities all around the world are quick to boast about having the tallest/biggest/most anything. So if we're going along with the bigger-is-better trend, it should come as no surprise that the same thing can be said for our malls.

Enter the Mall of America, where bigger is definitely better. Formerly holding the title as the biggest indoor mall in the country when it opened in 1992, Mall of America has dropped down to the No. 3 spot in terms of retail square footage. According to the Directory of Major Malls, the Eastwood Mall Complex in Ohio is No. 1 with 3.2 million sq. ft., while the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania is No. 2 with slightly less than 2.8 million sq. ft. The Mall of America, which has just 25,000 sq. ft. less than that, wants its top spot back and plans to add about 1.1 million leasable sq. ft., according to the Associated Press.

The Mall of America plans to expand by adding a 6,000-seat music theater, hotels, an ice rink and more--more than doubling its size in a $1.78 billion project. New stores, including a Bass Pro outdoor retailer, will be added, and the mall also will be connected to an IKEA store. To date, the four-story mall already has an indoor amusement park and 520 stores.

The project, which is expected to be completed by 2011, already has the approval of the city of Bloomington, the Minneapolis suburb where the mall is located. Mall officials said the expansion would bring in $51.7 million a year in sales taxes for the state.

If you ask me, connecting yourself to an IKEA store doesn't really qualify as expanding or make you a bigger mall. To me, it kind of seems like cheating--tacking on a walkway that "connects" you to a behemoth store does not make you one in the same.  Luckily, the Mall of America has more than that up their sleeve in terms of "expansion."

Although, I suppose that's how it's done these days--forget adding on hoards of new stores. Malls in hopes of becoming super-mega shopping complexes are adding hotels, theme parks, theaters and anything else large-scale to hit the mark. In America, this strategy seems to work. We like going to our gargantuan malls, maxing out our credit cards and drinking liters of overpriced, coffee concoctions along the way. After all, this is the land where the bucket-o-fries was invented because the supersize order just wasn't quite big enough. Alas, our philosophy should not be "bigger is better," but rather, "biggest is best." Chew on that...   

--Jessie Bove

Photo: An aerial view of the Mall of America.

Attack of the Convenience Store!

Well not really an attack so much--more of an "uptick," I'd say. C-stores are on the rise, as demand for this brand of in-and-out-and-on-my-way retail has found its niche somewhere in between the soccer mom toting around an SUV full of Gatorade-drinking sweepers, the business exec needing a cup-o-Joe without the Starbucks barista wait, and the construction worker looking for a Slim Jim and some smokes. Fuel, obviously, is the No. 1 driver of convenience store traffic, the but the other stuff sure doesn't hurt. Like it or not, c-stores and the services they provide are in demand.

NACS, the association for convenience and petroleum retailing, and TDLinx, a service of The Nielsen Company, announced that the number of convenience stores in the United States grew 3.2 percent over the past year and now stands at 145,119 stores. Ten years ago, there were 104,600 U.S. convenience stores. The increase in stores is a result of a greater number of stores opening than closing in 2006, as well as the existence of non-convenience stores evolving to fit the definition of a convenience store, which includes a broad merchandise mix, extended hours of operations and a minimum of 500 SKUs (according to NACS/TDLinx).

While convenience stores have not been the most stellar examples of retail interiors in design history, there have been some notable up-and-comers in the last few years that are worthy of a second glance. BP and ExxonMobil have stepped up the oil company game by rolling out their Wild Bean Cafe and On the Run c-store concepts, respectively, both with nice interior elements and customer offerings. Sheetz has an empire in the making with its massive (and good looking) c-store/travel center concepts, and Wawa has the same must-go-everyday customer loyalty as the typical Starbucks addict. (I read a story once about a couple getting married inside a Wawa store, where they had met at the coffee counter--seriously.)

Granted for every gorgeous c-store you come across, there's probably another down the road with chipping tile, peeling paint and a bathroom that smells like something died in it. Take note of the good ones--because they're genuinely getting better every day.

--Alison Embrey Medina

Image: Outtakes Convenience Store, Boca Raton, Fla.

Get Buff in the Buff

Have you ever wondered where nudists workout? (yea me neither) Well in case you now want to know--and I know that you do--there's a Dutch gym planning to introduce "Naked Sunday" for all those clothes-hating gymrats. According to an article by the Associated Press in USA Today, Patrick de Man, the owner of Fitworld gym in the town of Heteren, said he got the idea in part from two of his customers who are avid nudists. The response had been overwhelmingly positive and negative, de Man said. He also added that Fitworld customers were asking whether it would be sanitary.

Hello! Sanitary?! Think of the sit-up mats, the leg curl machine, the bench press! Think of...(gasp)...the inner/outer thigh machine! If that's not enough to make you twitch with repulsion, think of the stationary bike.

De Man said nude exercisers would be required to put towels down on weight machines and to use disposable seat covers while riding bikes, adding that all the machines would be cleaned and disinfected afterward. I have news for de Man--that is still sick! Hasn't he seen the endless exposés on TV that reveal all kinds of atrocities lurking on the neighborhood gym's equipment?

In any case, the first "Naked Sunday" is scheduled for March 4. So if you dare to bare (and happen to be in Heteren), bring a towel, and remember to schedule a doctor's appointment for the very next day.

--Jessie Bove

Would You Like Some Pasties with Your Coffee?

Yes, PASTIES--not pastries--it's not a typo in the title. I'm referring to several Seattle-area coffee shops that have recently taken an affinity for showing some skin. According to a story by the Associated Press, several coffee shops have started offering up java via scantily clad baristas, including Cowgirls Espresso in the Seattle suburbs, Moka Girls in Auburn, The Sweet Spot Cafe in Shoreline, Bikini Espresso in Renton and Natte Latte in Port Orchard.

The AP reporter described the fierce competition in the coffee market of Seattle and went on to depict the outfits of two employees at a Cowgirls stand with details like "a black bra that didn't quite cover her shiny purple pasties" and "a skimpy halter top, see-through red lace panties and chaps." Apparently the bare-it- (almost) all trend began four years ago when Lori Bowden, the owner of Cowgirls Espresso, opened her first stand and employees suggested doing "Bikini Wednesdays." After Bowden approved, the stand immediately doubled the amount of money it was taking in on Wednesdays. Now, additional themes have been added on such as "Fantasy Fridays," "School Girl Thursdays," "Cowgirl Tuesdays" and "Military Mondays."

After seeing Cowgirls' success, Steve McDaniel opened Moka Girls last summer, and Sarah Araujo opened The Sweet Spot two years ago. "Most guys like to see pretty girls when they get their mochas," Araujo said. "We just figured we'd be honest about it." (I don't even know where to start to make fun of that comment...the possibilities are endless, so go ahead and entertain a few yourself for a quick laugh).

Now maybe I'm just out of the loop, but when did coffee shops turn into new age strip clubs? Okay, maybe strip club is a little harsh, but these naughty coffee stands merit at least a Hooter's equivalent on the classiness scale. Are Seattle retailers really so desperate to gain an edge over the competition that all they can come up with is this? I guess they are. So, next time you're in Seattle, go ahead and order a "pastie" with your morning brew (just don't forget to bring some $1bills).

--Jessie Bove

Photo: The logo on The Sweet Spot's Web site

A Retail Find

 

Possibly giving Whole Foods a run for its money--while offering something a little bit more casual--the Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe's is opening stores in new markets, including that of Atlanta. Smaller than most supermarkets, usually under 10,000 sq. ft., Trader Joe's packs a lot of punch for the space, offering a specialty line of more than 2,000 private-label food products from all over the world.

Its first store in Atlanta (and in the South) was given nothing less than pure southern hospitality and a warm welcome upon its arrival here. Opening last month, the retailer can barely keep merchandise on the shelves and in the freezers. And if you go on a weekend--a mistake I made--good luck on finding a cart. I found myself having to pay more attention to driving the cart than observing the product selection. With aisles 20-people deep and customers waiting in line to travel down them, Trader Joe's is living every retailer's dream.

Despite the crowd, I was pleased to load up my cart with some pretty exciting finds, from some of the best ricotta/spinach ravioli I've had to a variety of fruit-flavored Italian sodas. I also stocked up on some of the rice bowls in the frozen section--can't wait to try the Thai lemongrass chicken selection.  And the best part of it all, that is, besides the experience of finding new and exciting stuff, is inexpensive prices. This might be old news for some, but this is pretty exciting for a Trader Joe's newbie. I'll definitely be back, hoping to find the well-publicized wine from Charles Shaw. (Due to state laws and license requirements, I may be waiting awhile unfortunately.)

Although it was crowded and quite noisy, I did enjoy this retail escapade. And there aren't many instances where I voluntarily stay in such an environment. Although the store is notably simple in its design, there's an inherent culture there that keeps people coming back--unique product offering, friendly staff in Hawaiian T-shirts, handwritten chalkboard signage noting store specials and an environment that encourages discovery.

--Rachel Brown

Shop But Don’t Drop

We’ve all been there…at the very last minute…trying to squeeze in one last shopping excursion…trying to find that one last gift. It’s the holidays--you’re tired, you’re cranky and if you hear “Jingle Bell Rock” one more time you just might snap. Right around this time, when you’re about to lose it (I mean really lose it--as in breaking out into an ornament-smashing, garland-ripping rage) someone is going to do something truly evil to you--like cut in front of you and steal the last and latest (creepy) tickle-me-something-doll.

But wait, don’t freak yourself out into a frenzy just yet…you may be one of the lucky residents living near The Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, N.J., where American Express is debuting its “Members Lounge,” for you to take all that pent up frustration and go unwind (that is, if you’re an AMEX cardmember). According to a press release from American Express, the Members Lounge is designed to reinvigorate cardmembers during the busy holiday season. This is the first time the company is hosting a Members Lounge at a retail shopping location, where visitors can expect a tranquil environment complete with snacks and refreshments. Other features of the Members Lounge will include a coat check, private restroom, couches and seating areas, free gift-wrap services, iPod and cell phone charging stations, and an e-mail station (all for free if you’re a cardmember). Ahh, I can feel the relaxation already. Cool as it may be, the Members Lounge won’t last forever--it’s scheduled to be open the weekend of Nov. 10-12, daily from Nov. 17-Dec. 31, and the first two weekends in January. It might even be a concept to watch for in the future--recharging stations for your gadgets and mind, year-round.

Alas, if you aren’t a coveted AMEX cardmember (and if you don’t feel like signing up to be one) and you find yourself in the aforementioned situation with the red doll and the thief-in-housewife’s-clothing, try to take some deep, cleansing breaths and relax. (Maybe even promise yourself a trip to the spa at the end of the day.) If all else fails to calm your shop-rage, a good ol’ purse swing upside the offender’s head usually does the trick.

--Jessie Bove