Crate & Barrel

The Falls, one of Florida’s largest open-air, retail and entertainment destinations featuring Bloomingdale's and Macy's, along with more than 95 stores and restaurants, is rolling out a new retail roster that will include several new stores and dining venues.

The retail surge at The Falls, opening in different phases as of fall 2011, will coincide with numerous exterior upgrades including new entrances and signage, along with interior enhancements featuring a contemporary and chic color palette and new soft seating areas.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Charming Charlie will open an 8,650-sq.-ft. store at Geneva Commons, in Geneva, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The new store is slated to open summer 2011 in the 437,650-sq.-ft. lifestyle center, joining a recently opened Sephora, which debuted a 3,909-sq.-ft. store in the center.

Geneva Commons is anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, H & M, Anthropologie and more.
 

Chicago — Los Angeles-based Westfield announced that its Westfield Old Orchard shopping destination in Skokie, Ill., has added more new tenants to its offerings.

New York City -- Finnish retailer Marimekko will open a flagship in Manhattan this fall. The company is also expanding its collaboration with Crate & Barrel.

The 4,000-sq.-ft. store will feature Marimekko’s wide-ranging product mix, which includes furnishings fabrics, home goods, apparel and accessories. It will be designed by the Japanese architectural firm IMA.

By Craig Johnson, [email protected]

After the steepest sales slump in decades, the once-sputtering retail economy is coming back to life. And it may be coming back most strongly closest to home: the home-furnishings and home-improvement sectors.