Beginnings, renewals and expansions
By Lisa Casinger -- Home Accents Today, 10/1/2005
It's refreshing in this economy to see people opening new stores, renovating existing locations and branching out. Here are a few highlights of stores that have done just that recently.
Friends in Carmel shared this tidbit, Cha-ya, Japanese Tea & Things had its grand opening Sept. 6, on the Monterey Peninsula. Owners Mitsuko Gammon and Mihoko Dreyer celebrated their joint venture bringing traditional Japanese items and teas to the area. Cha-ya means "Tea House" or "Tea Room" in Japanese. Originally from Tokyo and Kyoto respectively, Mitsuko and Mihoko met through a mutual friend five years ago and have long talked about "doing something" together in retail. That something turned into a quaint, serene teashop on Pacific Grove's Grand Avenue.
Mitsuko is trained in the methods of Ikebana and the Traditional Tea Ceremony of Japan and Mihoko's prolific creation of traditional calligraphy and brush painting offers a wide assortment of interesting, hand-made objects and cards for unique gifts.
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Mitsuko Gammon, seated, and Mihoko Dreyer bring a Japanese tea house and shop to the Monterey Peninsula. |
In a quiet decor of moss greens and bamboo browns, Cha-ya is a welcome surprise. With an eclectic variety of teas, books, art and ceramics in the Japanese aesthetic, the shop feels like a Zen-inspired refuge from the buzz of commerce.
One of our 50 Retail Stars — Trappings, Richmond, Va. — had been closed for about a month as owners Anne Marie Elles and Laura and Patrick Strickler undertook extensive renovations.
The 1,500-sq.-ft. store re-opened Sept. 9 with a celebration where customers could view the makeover for themselves.
| One of Home Accents Today's 50 Retail Stars, Trappings of Richmond, Va., just reopened after completing renovations to its historic building. |  |
Trappings gained 20% more floor space by removing storage and office space, knocking down walls and generally opening up the floor plan of its landlocked, old historic building. Ceilings and floors were redone, new paint treatments and bright colors added and more merchandise brought in. Laura Strickler said the space is much easier to navigate and feels fresh. She's quite excited about the renovation.
Blanc D'Ivoire, Monic Fisher's wholesale line of French furnishings and home decor, has opened two U.S. flagship stores, Ma Maison in San Francisco and Le Papillon in Murrells Inlet, S.C.
"Our collection recreates an ambiance of the old-world French charm with an updated flair that allows flexibility in modern as well as country interiors," Monic said. "This simple and elegant home furnishings and lifestyle collection continues to attract discerning homeowners all over the world."
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Ma Maison, one of Blanc D'Ivoire's two U.S. flagship stores, allows shoppers to experience the complete lifestyle. |
Fisher is the owner and creator of Blanc D'Ivoire. She established the company in 1994 in Europe and the line is sold throughout stores in the U.S., but Ma Maison and Le Papillon, as well as a Tribeca store opening soon, will not only carry the full line, they'll impart the elegant French lifestyle that is the hallmark of the collection.
Candle maker Aunt Sadie's is opening its second store, November 10 in the Cherry Creek section of Denver.
It joins the company's flagship store, opened in 2000 in Boston's historic South End. The Boston store has repeatedly won awards for its style, innovation and overall shopping experience.
The Improper Bostonian, a local magazine, recently voted it Boston's Best Gift Store. Aunt Sadie's carries Aunt Sadie's candles, of course, plus greeting cards, soaps and gifts and home goods.
Do you have retail news and pictures to share? If so, email me at lcasinger@reedbusiness.com.
Lisa Casinger, Retail Editor
