Events

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) has publicly called Senate legislation aimed at increasing the federal minimum wage by 40% an anti-job tax that would lead to higher labor costs for employers and fewer opportunities for young and entry-level workers. NRF will include votes on the minimum wage as “Key Retail Votes” in its annual voting scorecard used to measure legislative support for the retail industry’s public policy priorities.

The Nordstrom’s Customer Experience Center is a replica of a store where the department store operator can bring together salespeople, suppliers and customers to share feedback on new concepts before they are introduced to stores.

Minneapolis -- Target announced plans to open a store in Westwood, Mass., opening in March 2015.

The 135,000-sq.-ft. store will be part of the new University Station development. It will be the 26th Target store in the Boston area.

Mia Goldwyn was named chief content officer at StyleHaul, a company that describes itself as the leading multi-platform marketing solution for fashion and beauty brands with scale.

Goldwyn joins StyleHaul, a platform with 138 million YouTube subscribers with 53 million unique monthly visitors, from Paramount Pictures. She spent 13 years with the studio and most recently served as vp of business development, digital and insurge. In her new role she will report to StyleHaul president and CEO Stephanie Horbaczewski.

Riverside, Calif. — Farmer Boys will open its 75th fast casual restaurant in Orange, Calif., this weekend. The Grand Opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, burger-eating contest, Big Cheese burger giveaway and family entertainment.

The fast, casual Farmer Boys chain prides itself on using farm-fresh ingredients.

New York -- Macy’s and Maker Studios, the world’s largest producer and distributor of online video content for Millennials, announced a collaboration to launch an original fashion-lifestyle series, to be called “The Next Style Star.” The program will feature 16 up-and-coming stylists battling head-to-head for a $10,000 cash prize, a chance to serve as a guest stylist on an upcoming Macy’s photo shoot, and have his or her winning look featured in the Impulse Department at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.

Grand Rapids, Mich. — HopCat has purchased a former restaurant building on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit and plans to open its third Michigan location in August. Mid-America Real Estate – Michigan represented the seller, Midtown Detroit Inc., in the transaction. Mid-America in cooperation with M Retail Solutions represented HopCat. A mass transit stop is planned directly in front of the building.

With 130 taps, the Midtown location will be the largest craft beer bar in the state. The bar will also offer wine, liquor and a full menu.

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants will open three new Dickey’s Barbecue Pits this week. On April 2, the chain will open a restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colo., and on April 3, two more restaurants will open, one in Gulfport, Miss., and another in Stockton, Calif.