Sustainability

West Elm opened its 100th store, at Empire Stores, in Brooklyn, New York. It is the first tenant to officially open in the restored 19th-century coffee roasting facility and warehouse.   Located in Brooklyn’s Fulton Ferry Historic District, Empire Stores dates from 1869. Its massive red-brick walls feature distinctive round-arch openings and iron shutters, characteristic features of port warehouses of the period. The home furnishings retailer also has located its corporate headquarters within the building.  

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation on Monday made a commitment to provide support through cash and in-kind donations of $500,000 to organizations helping with relief efforts for those affected by the floods in Louisiana.   Working closely with the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, coordination efforts are being made with elected officials and governmental entities across the region to meet the needs of those affected by the overwhelming flooding in the Louisiana region this week.  

Pottery Barn opened its redesigned store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California.    The 17,293-sq.-ft. store is influenced by the Spanish Mediterranean architecture found throughout Orange County, blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a refined and relaxed environment. As part of Pottery Barn’s commitment to sustainability, the store features LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and low VOC paints to reduce toxins.  

Ikea’s upcoming store in Columbus, Ohio, has begun taking shape.   The company said that the structure’s steel framing has progressed far enough to allow for the installation of Ikea’s iconic blue composite panels. Installing the panels is a construction milestone that keeps the store on track to open in summer 2017.  

Another high-profile retail attraction has opened at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida.   The Coca-Cola store is designed to offer customers an immersive brand experience. Modeled after a 1920s Coca-Cola bottling plant, the store celebrates the history of the brand, starting on the exterior where the glass-accented entry pays tribute to the iconic Coke green glass bottle.    

Phillips Edison & Company announced the appointment of Beth Farrell Donnelly as VP and assistant general counsel. She will work with senior VP and General Counsel Tanya Brady to provide legal advice on all aspects of the company’s business.  

Home furnishings retailer West Elm will open a new store in downtown Reno, Nevada, on Aug. 11.    The 11,000-sq.-ft. store is located on the main floor of the former U.S. Post Office building, which has been transformed into The Basement marketplace, an underground venue with a mission to create a multi-use incubator space of both retail and food vendors celebrating handicraft.   

Walmart has asked suppliers to remove "high priority chemicals," such as formaldehyde and triclosan, from their products as part of an effort to eliminate controversial chemicals from household goods.