STORE SPACES

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Red Rooster, a design and brand experience firm, is expanding its marketing communications and branding services through the incorporation of Integrate, Moorehead Design and The Imaginati, effective Sept. 1.

"Integrate, Moorehead Design and The Imaginati's marketing communications, branding and advertising industry expertise will extend Big Red Rooster's breadth of services, allowing us to better assist our clients and solve problems along every step of the customer journey," CEO Martin Beck said.

New York City -- McDonald's Canada is investing approximately $1 billion in an ambitious program to transform the look, feel and function of its more than 1,400 locations across the country. More than half of the stores are expected to be remodeled by yearend, with the rest completed by the end of 2012.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- Shopping mall La Palmera said that one of its major tenants, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification, the restaurant’s first, for its location at the Corpus Christi, Texas, mall.

New York City -- Lord & Taylor will unveil a new concept called Lord & Taylor Home on Friday, at Fashion Center shopping center in Paramus, N.J.  A second location, in Shrewsbury, N.J., is expected to open in several weeks. Lord & Taylor is owned by NRDC Equity Partners, which also owns Canada’s Hudson Bay Co.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us has implemented a number of sustainable initiatives that conserve energy, minimize waste, and reduce its stores’ overall impact on the environment while diminishing the company’s carbon footprint.

The chain said that its new and renovated “R”Us locations include a combination of the following sustainable features:

New York City -- Subway is testing a cafe concept with an expanded menu and more sophisticated décor in about 15 locations, the Associated Press said.

The new format includes modern lighting, flat-screen TVs, comfortable chairs, and such menu items as muffins, pastries, espresso beverages and salads.
 

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS/pharmacy’s distribution center in Chemung County, N.Y., has been awarded LEED Gold certification from the United States Building Council. It it the chain’s first LEED-certified distribution center.

Phoenix -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market said Thursday it has turned on 11 rooftop solar installations in Phoenix and Los Angeles. The panels, installed by REC Solar, will provide 536 kW of power and supply 20% of each store’s energy needs.