STORE SPACES

Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been selected once again as one of the "2011 Best Places to Work in Illinois."

This workplace analysis and competition began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Illinois State Council, the Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago, and managed by Best Companies Group.  

Redmond, Wash. -- Apparel retailer Rue21 has selected PlayNetwork to produce and program in-store music and messaging for 672 Rue21 retail sites in 44 states.

The rue21 stores will be the first to feature PlayNetwork’s new MC550 media player, which which enables businesses to securely deliver immersive entertainment programming featuring music, video, digital signage and branded messaging content.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. met its 2010 goal of purchasing renewable energy equivalent to half of the electricity used in its North American company-owned stores, the company reported in its tenth annual "Global Responsibility Report." The report details Starbucks’  fiscal 2010 performance in environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing and community involvement.

Basking Ridge, N.J. -- Eighty-five Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country have been awarded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification, placing Verizon Wireless among the top third of retailers with certified buildings nationwide and the leading wireless retailer.

Additionally, 41 Verizon Wireless stores have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Burbank, Calif. -- Ikea on Wednesday went live with the solar energy system installed at its store in Burbank, Calif. The 35,000-sq.-ft. array consists of a 290-kW system, built with approximately 1,260 panels. 

The installation will produce approximately 421,300 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing at least 334 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The initiative will contribute to the local utility’s renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.

East Cleveland, Ohio -- The future of lighting -- with an emphasis on the powerful potential of LEDs, fluorescent, halogen and ceramic metal halide lighting systems -- is on the move. Lighting professionals and designers, distributors, architects, contractors, facility maintenance and utility executives, as well as government officials are invited to register at www.gelightingrevolutiontour.com for a sneak peek of the brightest lighting technologies on the horizon this year and beyond.

Dallas -- Davaco a provider of retail and restaurant services, announced that the company is partnering with their clients to execute safety audits across stores and restaurants, nationwide.

New York City -- Fitch North America said it was awarded branding and retail work from Buffalo Wild Wings, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the nation.

In addition, Sports Authority has also signed on Fitch. And H&M appointed Fitch as the lead architect for the Southwest region, managing up to nine large outlets per year.