The Left Shoe Company, a luxury footwear and accessories retailer from Finland, opened its first American flagship at 8473D Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles. The 1,700-sq.-ft. store features 3D scanners to measure feet for the perfect shoe size, a design studio to allow customers to select product styles and materials, plus a lounge with a gentleman’s bar. Customers’ design specifications will be sent to Europe for production and shipped back to the customers within six weeks.
The Left Shoe already operates stores in the U.K., Italy, Germany, Denmark, United Arab Emirates and Japan. The company plans to open a store in New York City in 2014.
“Melrose Avenue is a world-renowned shopping destination, so it is only fitting to launch our first-ever U.S. flagship store here,” said Patrick Mayworm, president of The Left Shoe Company North America. “We feel there is high demand among the U.S. consumer for custom luxury men’s shoes and we are proud to offer top quality product and craftsmanship in conjunction with the opportunity to hand-select each aspect of the shoes to truly embrace one’s personal sense of style. Our Los Angeles launch is the perfect opportunity to introduce The Left Shoe Company brand and experience to the American consumer.”
Build-A-Bear to Unveil New Store Prototype at Cherry Hill Mall
Build-A-Bear Workshop will open its first redesigned store at Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, N.J. this fall. The 2,000-sq.-ft. new store prototype will feature stations for shoppers to customize their stuffed animals with digital personality emoticons and high quality sounds; a digital bath tub and a viewfinder that reveals the toys’ special attributes and can create a one-of-a-kind birth certificate.
Build-A-Bear’s new design recently received a 2013 DSA Industry Excellence Award.
McAlister’s Deli Signs Franchise Agreements for 21 New Sites
McAlister’s Deli signed agreements with four franchise groups to develop 21 restaurants in seven states. LLD Investments Inc. will develop four restaurants in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. Abundant Endeavors Inc. will develop five restaurants in North Orange County, Fla. WNY Restaurants Inc. will develop five restaurants in Buffalo, N.Y. And Southern Deli Holdings LLC will develop seven restaurants in North and South Carolina.
“The first half of 2013 has been off to a very successful start, and as part of our expansion plans, we are excited to bring McAlister’s hospitality to more markets around the country,” said company President and CEO Frank Paci in a statement.
Westfield Offers Manufacturers a Chance to Show Their Wares at San Francisco Centre
Westfield San Francisco Centre partnered with SF Made, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing San Francisco’s manufacturing sector, to grant local artisans access to prime retail space and help them introduce their brands to Westfield’s Bay Area customer base, which totals more than 20 million shoppers per year.
Westfield is offering program participants substantial price breaks for kiosk space on Level 2 of Westfield San Francisco Centre. The vendors will occupy the spaces from June through October 2013. They include: Wildebeest, a pet and lifestyle products seller, Drip Module, a producer of minimalist designs for everyday living items such as clocks and coffee tables, and Clubfife, a knickers and loungewear designer.