A former naval officer is opening an Elements massage franchise in the Sharon Corners shopping center near SouthPark mall.
The store will be the city's first Elements, joining a crowded massage scene with dozens of studios and spas of all types, independents and franchises. Elements owner Mark Little, who has lived in Charlotte for about 10 years, said what will set his franchise apart is a focus on therapeutic massage.
The health benefits of a good deep tissue or Swedish massage more than justify the expense, Little thinks. Similar to Massage Envy's (which has a half-dozen stores in Charlotte) business model, Elements has a membership option, offering discounts for monthly massages.
Little's Elements massage has a grand opening today, Friday, May 27. The business is offering discounted massages and Father's Day specials. Little says he plans to open two more massage stores in south Charlotte over the next two years.
Family Dollar still talked about as takeover target
Two months after rejecting a takeover bid from billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, another influential investor is discussing the Matthews-based company's allure as an acquisition.
Bill Ackman, of Pershing Square Capital, gave a presentation yesterday at an investment conference called "All in the Family," touting the likelihood for a takeover of Family Dollar in the near future. Family Dollar, one of the Charlotte region's biggest homegrown success stories, could be worth a lot more per share than its current value, Ackman said, and possible buyers could include rivals like Dollar General or other leveraged buyout firms.
Ackman, also a well-known activist investor, also said his firm is buying Family Dollar shares. But he said his investment will only be a passive stake, and he won't pressure management for changes.
The mention of Family Dollar as a takeover target could reignite speculation that the nearly 7,000-store chain could be bought sometime soon. But the company still has a so-called "poison pill" in place, discouraging any hostile takeover attempts, so any buyer would likely have to approach with a significantly higher offer than Peltz's tender of $55-$60 per share.
Bill Ackman, of Pershing Square Capital, gave a presentation yesterday at an investment conference called "All in the Family," touting the likelihood for a takeover of Family Dollar in the near future. Family Dollar, one of the Charlotte region's biggest homegrown success stories, could be worth a lot more per share than its current value, Ackman said, and possible buyers could include rivals like Dollar General or other leveraged buyout firms.
Ackman, also a well-known activist investor, also said his firm is buying Family Dollar shares. But he said his investment will only be a passive stake, and he won't pressure management for changes.
The mention of Family Dollar as a takeover target could reignite speculation that the nearly 7,000-store chain could be bought sometime soon. But the company still has a so-called "poison pill" in place, discouraging any hostile takeover attempts, so any buyer would likely have to approach with a significantly higher offer than Peltz's tender of $55-$60 per share.
New luggage store slated for SouthPark
SouthPark mall is getting a new luggage store, a few months after old standby Sharon Luggage closed its doors.
Atlanta-based Mori Luggage and Gifts is set to open Friday, June 3. The 3,500-square-foot store, featuring designer lines including Vera Bradley, Tumi and Victorinox/Swiss Army, will be the company's first in North Carolina.
In addition to luggage, the store will carry "fine writing instruments, leather wallets, jewelry boxes, globes, chess sets, and... a wide selection of travel accessories including packing folders, luggage tags, and passport cases," according to the retailer.
The first 100 customers at the store on Friday, June 3, will get a free Vera Bradley zip ID case. The store will also have special sales and a raffle for hundreds of dollars of prizes during its first month at SouthPark.
Atlanta-based Mori Luggage and Gifts is set to open Friday, June 3. The 3,500-square-foot store, featuring designer lines including Vera Bradley, Tumi and Victorinox/Swiss Army, will be the company's first in North Carolina.
In addition to luggage, the store will carry "fine writing instruments, leather wallets, jewelry boxes, globes, chess sets, and... a wide selection of travel accessories including packing folders, luggage tags, and passport cases," according to the retailer.
The first 100 customers at the store on Friday, June 3, will get a free Vera Bradley zip ID case. The store will also have special sales and a raffle for hundreds of dollars of prizes during its first month at SouthPark.
Lowe's: We're hiring IT professionals
Lowe's Inc. announced Monday that it plans to hire up to 300 information technology professionals, beefing up its digital workforce as the role e-commerce plays in its business continues to grow.
The jobs will be based in Mooresville, where Lowe's is headquartered, and will include engineers, application developers, managers and others. Lowe's said 150 of the hires will be for new positions. The company currently has about 1,000 IT workers on staff. If you're interested in applying, visit this site.
Lowe's, which operates about 1,750 stores, is trying to grow its business in the face of strong economic headwinds. The housing market hasn't come close to recovering (in fact, its taking what many believe is the much-feared double-dip), and consumers still aren't back to the heady days of spending $25,000 for a kitchen remodel on a whim.
That's left Lowe's to focus on customers planning small jobs, generally less than $500. The company has grown its website and its presence of Facebook to connect with customers and sell to them outside of a traditional store. Company executives have also spoken about the importance of turning the company from a brick-and-mortar retailer to a multi-channel, home improvement provider.
In a statement, chief information officer Mike Brown said: “The walls of our stores have expanded as our customers and employees rely on technology to plan and execute their home improvement needs."
The jobs will be based in Mooresville, where Lowe's is headquartered, and will include engineers, application developers, managers and others. Lowe's said 150 of the hires will be for new positions. The company currently has about 1,000 IT workers on staff. If you're interested in applying, visit this site.
Lowe's, which operates about 1,750 stores, is trying to grow its business in the face of strong economic headwinds. The housing market hasn't come close to recovering (in fact, its taking what many believe is the much-feared double-dip), and consumers still aren't back to the heady days of spending $25,000 for a kitchen remodel on a whim.
That's left Lowe's to focus on customers planning small jobs, generally less than $500. The company has grown its website and its presence of Facebook to connect with customers and sell to them outside of a traditional store. Company executives have also spoken about the importance of turning the company from a brick-and-mortar retailer to a multi-channel, home improvement provider.
In a statement, chief information officer Mike Brown said: “The walls of our stores have expanded as our customers and employees rely on technology to plan and execute their home improvement needs."
New South End furniture store opens
A new store opened last weekend across from Atherton Mill on South Boulevard, with the owner pledging to focus on selling high-quality, American-made furniture.
High Cotton Home Company is the second store by The Furniture Connector owner Rodney Hines. His other store is off South Boulevard, past Remount Road.
Hines said the 7,000-square-foot High Cotton Home store is meant to be an expression of a "Charlotte" style.
"We are not Atlanta and we're not like any other part of the country," said Hines in a press release. "We're a city that is becoming increasingly proud of its own style, and I want High Cotton Home to be the embodiment of the relaxed, yet luxurious style that I see as uniquely Charlotte.""
The store sells furniture from multiple American designers and manufacturers, including Vanguard Furniture in Hickory. High Cotton says it offers more than 50 finish and 1,600 upholstery options.
The new High Cotton Home store could presage something of a furniture renaissance for Charlotte. Stickley Furniture also announced this month that it is opening a second showroom, in addition to its store near SouthPark, in a 36,000-square-foot former Boyles furniture store near Northlake Mall. That location has been empty since Boyles declared bankruptcy during the recession.
High Cotton Home Company is the second store by The Furniture Connector owner Rodney Hines. His other store is off South Boulevard, past Remount Road.
Hines said the 7,000-square-foot High Cotton Home store is meant to be an expression of a "Charlotte" style.
"We are not Atlanta and we're not like any other part of the country," said Hines in a press release. "We're a city that is becoming increasingly proud of its own style, and I want High Cotton Home to be the embodiment of the relaxed, yet luxurious style that I see as uniquely Charlotte.""
The store sells furniture from multiple American designers and manufacturers, including Vanguard Furniture in Hickory. High Cotton says it offers more than 50 finish and 1,600 upholstery options.
The new High Cotton Home store could presage something of a furniture renaissance for Charlotte. Stickley Furniture also announced this month that it is opening a second showroom, in addition to its store near SouthPark, in a 36,000-square-foot former Boyles furniture store near Northlake Mall. That location has been empty since Boyles declared bankruptcy during the recession.
Lululemon to open Friday at SouthPark
Yoga-inspired apparel retailer lululemon athletica is set to open Friday, May 20, at SouthPark, offering free yoga classes and pricey apparel. The retailer's former showroom on Central Avenue, in Plaza-Midwood, is closed.
The Canadian chain has been growing rapidly, with revenue jumping nearly 60 percent last year, to $712 million. SouthPark store manager Jodi Patterson said in a statement that the retailer is looking forward to opening in the upscale mall.
"We are thrilled to roll out our yoga mats and sweat once a day with our new friends in Southpark Mall," said Patterson, "and look forward to providing our guests with beautiful technical apparel for all their sweaty pursuits."
Free Vinyasa Flow yoga classes are planned for Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Canadian chain has been growing rapidly, with revenue jumping nearly 60 percent last year, to $712 million. SouthPark store manager Jodi Patterson said in a statement that the retailer is looking forward to opening in the upscale mall.
"We are thrilled to roll out our yoga mats and sweat once a day with our new friends in Southpark Mall," said Patterson, "and look forward to providing our guests with beautiful technical apparel for all their sweaty pursuits."
Free Vinyasa Flow yoga classes are planned for Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Taco Mac set to open in University City
Beer lovers in the University City area are about to get another 100-plus tap option, with a second Taco Mac location set to open with a VIP party on Monday.
The Georgia-based chain already has one location in town, in Piedmont Row near SouthPark. The second location is in the old Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse at 517 University Center Boulevard, off West W.T. Harris Boulevard.
The owners say it will have more than 70 high-definition TVs and a patio with room for 80 customers. In addition to the 100 taps, the Taco Mac will also feature 200 bottled beers.
The new Taco Mac will be just over a mile from beer juggernaut The Flying Saucer, another chain that's made having a ridiculously big beer selection and a loyalty program (UFO Club at The Flying Saucer, Brewniversity at Taco Mac) a centerpiece of their business.
But with a large college nearby, the owners are probably betting there are enough beer enthusiasts to support both.
The Georgia-based chain already has one location in town, in Piedmont Row near SouthPark. The second location is in the old Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse at 517 University Center Boulevard, off West W.T. Harris Boulevard.
The owners say it will have more than 70 high-definition TVs and a patio with room for 80 customers. In addition to the 100 taps, the Taco Mac will also feature 200 bottled beers.
The new Taco Mac will be just over a mile from beer juggernaut The Flying Saucer, another chain that's made having a ridiculously big beer selection and a loyalty program (UFO Club at The Flying Saucer, Brewniversity at Taco Mac) a centerpiece of their business.
But with a large college nearby, the owners are probably betting there are enough beer enthusiasts to support both.
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