Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Emervyille Becoming More Swedish with new H&M

&Already home to Swedish retailer, IKEA, another popular Swedish retailer is coming to Bay Street Emeryville next year: H&M. Described as "discount high-fashion," H&M plans to open next to the AMC Theatre in Spring 2007.

H&M also plans to open a store in the old Eddie Bower building at Broadway Pointe in Walnut Creek (across from Nordstrom). In addition, you can count on another new store in the expanded monolith, Westfield San Francisco Centre, which opens late September 2006.

Currently, H&M has a store in Union Square and a second store for women and girls in Concord's Sunvalley shopping center.

Read the full story.

Visit the H&M home page.

Visit the review of Bay Street Emeryville.

Monday, August 14, 2006

We Only Have Black

Macy's is reporting that they will be requiring their employees to wear all black to make them more visible to customers. Some Macy's employees have complained, and rightfully so, because being identifiable could make them targets by senseless customers.

Macy's is generously offering its employees a special 50% off black merchandise for a limited time. Not bad, considering they could have just changed their policy and told them to do it or be fired. We may want to key on eye on eBay for an influx of black clothing in the coming weeks.

At one time, uniforms were the norm and street clothes entirely unseen. Remember the turquoise Kmart smock? This reversal of casualness could bode well for shoppers, who've always preferred uniformed employees. Target requires its employees to wear khaki pants and red shirts. Wal-Mart, well, is just happy to have cheap labor with most of their teeth.

The bad news? Any fashionists who dons all black and shops at Macy's could face a barrage of questions, such as "do you have this in small?" "where are the bathrooms?" and "my baby just threw up."

The good news? Macy's could expand their slogan base. "We're a part of your life" could be expanded to "and death." How about, "is it a funeral? No, it's Macys! They are just DYING to see you."

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Oh my god, they killed Park Lane. You bastards!

Before the ink dried on the deal, the owners of Park Lane Mall, M&H Realty Partners, announced the closure of the Reno landmark. The final day of the mall will be January 31, 2007. M&H says the it'll probably be demolished. What's next, no one knows. Since Gottschalk's and the Century Theatres will remain, it's likely a power center, with other big box retailers, may be built. Another theory is an office park, since the central Reno location near the airport is highly desireable.

Read the full story.

The loss of another mall is a sad day in retail history. The opening of The Summit Sierra surely was the nail in the coffin of this mall. Speaking of coffin, since this mall is listed as haunted, what happens to the ghost? Will it inhabit the new structure? Maybe move in to Gottschalks? =

Please share your memories of Park Lane here.
Scott