The Junior League of Charlotte WearHouse is moving to a year-round schedule with longer shopping hours, six days a week, starting Friday, June 1.
The store, which opened in 1936, used to operate on a summer and fall schedule with varying hours. Now, the thrift and consignment store will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, all year.
“Not only are our customers able to have an extra hour to shop in the evening, but our volunteers will also have an extra hour to reach their JLC commitment goal,” said Michele Stack, the store manager, in an email.
The store is hosting two "Happy Hour" events (non-alcoholic) on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, to celebrate the longer hours. Featuring refreshments, giveaways and shopping specials, the Happy Hours will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Run by volunteers, the non-profit JLC WearHouse donates proceeds from its sales to the Junior League of Charlotte's community initiatives.
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Clothes Mentor opens on Kings Drive
Charlotte has a new upscale used clothing store, as Clothes Mentor is opening on South Kings Drive, in a shopping center near the intersection with Morehead Street.
The store is currently only open for buying women's apparel. They'll buy "gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, and perfume" for cash. According to the store's FAQ, they're looking for: "Women's clothing sizes 0-26, maternity, shoes, handbags, accessories, & designer perfumes. We look at purchasing tops, blazers, coats, dresses, skirts, shorts, capris, jeans, pants, shoes, jewelry, & belts. We are looking for items that are in great condition and that are current to stores in the last 1-2 years."
Clothes Mentor (main corporate website) has 54 locations in 22 states. Their only other North Carolina store is in Wilmington. The business was founded by Lynn and Dennis Blum, the Columbus, Ohio, couple that also founded Plato's Closet.
Clothes Mentor needs about six weeks to build up its inventory, and expects to open to the public for sales sometime in July. Expect more to come, and hopefully an interview with the local couple that owns the Charlotte Clothes Mentor, as we get closer to the opening date.
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The store is currently only open for buying women's apparel. They'll buy "gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, and perfume" for cash. According to the store's FAQ, they're looking for: "Women's clothing sizes 0-26, maternity, shoes, handbags, accessories, & designer perfumes. We look at purchasing tops, blazers, coats, dresses, skirts, shorts, capris, jeans, pants, shoes, jewelry, & belts. We are looking for items that are in great condition and that are current to stores in the last 1-2 years."
Clothes Mentor (main corporate website) has 54 locations in 22 states. Their only other North Carolina store is in Wilmington. The business was founded by Lynn and Dennis Blum, the Columbus, Ohio, couple that also founded Plato's Closet.
Clothes Mentor needs about six weeks to build up its inventory, and expects to open to the public for sales sometime in July. Expect more to come, and hopefully an interview with the local couple that owns the Charlotte Clothes Mentor, as we get closer to the opening date.
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Hardee's planning big Charlotte expansion
Hardee's owner CKE Restaurants, Inc., said it plans to open as many as 35 new franchise restaurants in the Charlotte region. That's on top of 51 Hardee's currently in the Charlotte market.
"We are excited to expand in the Charlotte area, and we’re now looking for experienced multi-unit operators to join the brand,” said CKE vice president Ned Lyerly in an email.
The California-based company is holding an event on June 7 in Charlotte, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., to discuss the business one-on-one with interested potential franchisees. To learn more or register, click here.
Hardee's obviously has deep Carolina roots. Founded in 1960 in Greenville, there are now 1,912 Hardee's restaurants nationwide. And Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made his name as a businessman by running Hardee's franchises after his playing career with the Baltimore Colts. CKE also owns Carl's Jr., of which there are 1,313 locations.
Harris Teeter dealing with Triad-area robberies
Matthews-based Harris Teeter has cut hours at seven of its stores in and around Greensboro, following a string of late-night robberies this year.
The stores affected by the hours change are in High Point, Greensboro and Kernersville. They were formerly open 24 hours, but now will operate from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Employees won't have their hours reduced, but some will have to work different shifts, the store's spokeswoman said.
"At this point, there is no indication of why Harris Teeter is chosen, other than Harris Teeter is probably our one grocer in the area that is open 24 hours a day," Greensboro police Capt. Mike Richey told WFMY in Greensboro. "And it is an extremely popular grocery store, so they're easy to find."
Here's an earlier story about the robberies themselves, which are being investigated by police in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. Authorities are also looking for at least two robbers responsible for a pair of robberies Monday at Harris Teeter stores in Cornelius and Fort Mill.
The stores affected by the hours change are in High Point, Greensboro and Kernersville. They were formerly open 24 hours, but now will operate from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Employees won't have their hours reduced, but some will have to work different shifts, the store's spokeswoman said.
"At this point, there is no indication of why Harris Teeter is chosen, other than Harris Teeter is probably our one grocer in the area that is open 24 hours a day," Greensboro police Capt. Mike Richey told WFMY in Greensboro. "And it is an extremely popular grocery store, so they're easy to find."
Here's an earlier story about the robberies themselves, which are being investigated by police in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. Authorities are also looking for at least two robbers responsible for a pair of robberies Monday at Harris Teeter stores in Cornelius and Fort Mill.
More groups join Family Dollar tobacco opposition
More anti-smoking groups are calling on Family Dollar to reverse its recent decision to sell tobacco products, a move the Matthews-based retailer has shown no inclination to make
The groups, led by Legacy, are claiming Family Dollar customers are more likely to be low-income and minority, and more likely to be smokers.
"Family Dollar could heavily impact the lives of those Americans who already suffer disproportionately from tobacco’s economic and health consequences,” said Cheryl Healton, CEO of Legacy. The statement continued, "Since Family Dollar stores mainly operate in neighborhoods with low-income and middle income families, the company has the potential to increase access to the nation’s deadliest consumer product."
"While the company has defended its policy as a business decision based on customer demand, Family Dollar has the unique opportunity to stand out as a company that is committed to keep customers healthy by not selling tobacco products," said Healton.
Family Dollar has said the move is purely a business decision. About one third, a higher proportion of their customers than the national average, smoke. Those customers are getting their cigarettes elsewhere, Family Dollar said, so to be competitive the store needs to carry tobacco.
“We’re not in the business of judging our customers for their purchases,” said Family Dollar spokesman Joshua Braverman in April, when the issue was first raised. “It’s just another category where we add the convenience for them.”
What do you think? Does a retailer have any responsibility towards its customers' health when it comes to products like tobacco, or should it just be a business decision?
The groups, led by Legacy, are claiming Family Dollar customers are more likely to be low-income and minority, and more likely to be smokers.
"Family Dollar could heavily impact the lives of those Americans who already suffer disproportionately from tobacco’s economic and health consequences,” said Cheryl Healton, CEO of Legacy. The statement continued, "Since Family Dollar stores mainly operate in neighborhoods with low-income and middle income families, the company has the potential to increase access to the nation’s deadliest consumer product."
"While the company has defended its policy as a business decision based on customer demand, Family Dollar has the unique opportunity to stand out as a company that is committed to keep customers healthy by not selling tobacco products," said Healton.
Family Dollar has said the move is purely a business decision. About one third, a higher proportion of their customers than the national average, smoke. Those customers are getting their cigarettes elsewhere, Family Dollar said, so to be competitive the store needs to carry tobacco.
“We’re not in the business of judging our customers for their purchases,” said Family Dollar spokesman Joshua Braverman in April, when the issue was first raised. “It’s just another category where we add the convenience for them.”
What do you think? Does a retailer have any responsibility towards its customers' health when it comes to products like tobacco, or should it just be a business decision?
Food Lion raises over $500,000 to fight hunger
If you've ever wondered whether those solicitations at the supermarket cash register to donate a dollar to a cause really add up, the answer seems to be yes: Salisbury-based Food Lion said it's raised more than $500,000 in two weeks with its anti-hunger donation campaign.
The "Hunger has a Cure" campaign allowed customers to donate $1, $3 or any dollar amount at checkout. The proceeds will be donated to Feeding America food banks. In total, the money will pay for more than 3.7 million meals for needy people, Food Lion said.
Food Lion is a subsidiary of the Belgian grocery conglomerate Delhaize Group. The company operates more than 1,100 Food Lion stores, with 57,000 employees.
The "Hunger has a Cure" campaign allowed customers to donate $1, $3 or any dollar amount at checkout. The proceeds will be donated to Feeding America food banks. In total, the money will pay for more than 3.7 million meals for needy people, Food Lion said.
This year's campaign topped last year's total of $440,000. "We are ecstatic about the more than 3.7 million meals that we were able to provide to families in need," said Bill Garcia, manager of community relations for Food Lion. "We are proud to work with Feeding America to help eliminate hunger in our communities."
Food Lion is a subsidiary of the Belgian grocery conglomerate Delhaize Group. The company operates more than 1,100 Food Lion stores, with 57,000 employees.
Belk to debut Joseph Abboud collection
Charlotte-based Belk is set to start selling Black Brown 1826, a line by menswear designer Joseph Abboud previously only sold at Lord & Taylor.
Belk is holding a private kickoff party for the line Wednesday at its flagship SouthPark store, with Abboud in attendance. Guests will have the chance to see the new collection and register for prizes, such as $500 worth of Black Brown 1826 and a weekend with a convertible on loan from Hendrick BMW.
Abboud said the collection is a "modern American brand." He said he's hoping to "push the envelope in a smart, interesting and tasteful way."
"A lot of preppy brands have very rigid requirements," Abboud said. "We're reaching out to style-conscious guys. We're not very heavy into big logos and crests."
The collection of shirts, shorts, blazers and denim have all been "merchandised with the Southern gentleman in mind," Belk said.
Putting the Black Brown 1826 line in Belk, Abboud said, will help it have more of a reach beyond Lord & Taylor's customer base. Abboud said since the recession, he has seen Americans shift to a more "European" buying mindset: Buy fewer, but more high-quality, clothes. He said he's tried to adapt his collection to fit that approach.
"This collection can appeal to a lot of different financial tiers," Abboud said. "If you find that one cashmere sweater you love, you don't need to buy eight."
“We view Black Brown 1826 as a modern approach to classic, Southern style,” said John
Thomas, Belk executive vice president, in a play on the department store's tagline. He said the line will be sold in 61 of Belk's 303 stores, as well as online. Half the items are exclusive to Belk, Thomas said.
Thomas, Belk executive vice president, in a play on the department store's tagline. He said the line will be sold in 61 of Belk's 303 stores, as well as online. Half the items are exclusive to Belk, Thomas said.
Abboud said the collection is a "modern American brand." He said he's hoping to "push the envelope in a smart, interesting and tasteful way."
"A lot of preppy brands have very rigid requirements," Abboud said. "We're reaching out to style-conscious guys. We're not very heavy into big logos and crests."
The collection of shirts, shorts, blazers and denim have all been "merchandised with the Southern gentleman in mind," Belk said.
Putting the Black Brown 1826 line in Belk, Abboud said, will help it have more of a reach beyond Lord & Taylor's customer base. Abboud said since the recession, he has seen Americans shift to a more "European" buying mindset: Buy fewer, but more high-quality, clothes. He said he's tried to adapt his collection to fit that approach.
"This collection can appeal to a lot of different financial tiers," Abboud said. "If you find that one cashmere sweater you love, you don't need to buy eight."
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