STORE SPACES

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added three hydrocarbons as acceptable alternatives in small commercial refrigerators and freezers through EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.

New York City -- From the shimmering windows at Harrods in London to the gold-draped storefront at Gucci in New York, Chain Store Age has put together a collection of the best of this year’s holiday windows from around the world.

Click here to view our slideshow and prepare to be transported.

Colton, Calif. -- The Hodgdon Group, a full-service real estate brokerage, development and construction firm, announced that it has completed construction on the conversion of the former Levitz building at Northridge Fashion Center in Northridge, Calif., for the opening of an Ashley Furniture HomeStore.

Hodgdon-Miank Construction served as the full-service design-build contractor and completed the major renovation of the 34,000-sq.-ft. Ashley store. This is the 12th Ashley HomeStore to open, which has been completed by the Hodgdon Group.
 

Dallas — Davaco has acquired Ecoxera, an Austin, Texas-based retail sustainability consulting firm. Justin Doak, who is the founder of Ecoxera, will continue to serve as president.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--Kohl’s Department Stores will pilot electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 33 stores nationwide. Each participating Kohl’s store will have one to four parking spaces reserved for EV drivers to charge at no cost while they shop. Charging stations can be activated by EV drivers in various ways including radio frequency identification (RFID) cards available at Kohl’s customer service desk and via phone numbers provided on the charging stations.

Spokane, Wash. -- Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company, has been selected by Rite Aid to provide utility expense and energy management services. Ecova will assist Rite Aid in monitoring, understanding and reducing energy use at approximately 4,700 Rite Aid pharmacies nationwide.

New York City -- Chain Store Age invites design firms, architects, retailers and suppliers to submit entries for its 30th annual Retail Store of the Year Design Competition. Eligible projects are those completed between November 2010 and December 2, 2011. Deadline for submission is December 20, 2011. Extensions are available.

Twenty-one competition categories are featured, ranging from supermarkets and discount/mass merchants to specialty stores and pop-up stores.

San Francisco -- Whole Foods Market partnering with EnergySmart Jobs and PECI on high-efficiency refrigeration retrofits. EnergySmart Jobs works with supermarkets and other commercial retail businesses throughout California to lower their operating costs by reducing the amount of energy they use.