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- September 12, 2019
- Deals, Our Company, Our People, Retail Real Estate, Tennessee
The Container Store is preparing to open its doors to customers Sept. 14, giving those who love to stay organized reason to celebrate.
The chain opens it first Memphis area store at 2130 Exeter in Germantown, next to Trader Joe’s in the Germantown Collection shopping center.
“We want to help people finish what they started,” John Brown, the store’s general manager, said of the store’s mission.
With locations in Nashville and Little Rock, the chain’s new Germantown location will be its 93rd location nationwide. The store joins Trader Joe’s as a “destination location” for devoted fans who will drive from outside the immediate area for what the business has to offer.
And what it offers are plenty of ways to stay organized, throughout the home and at the office.
Brown has been with the company 11 years, previously in the Nashville and Little Rock stores.
Brown said his team wants shoppers to come in and talk with employees about their projects, whether organizing the junk drawer or tackling a closet.
“The best of the best” and customer favorites will be available in the store, Brown said. Other items can be ordered on request.
“I think (shoppers) will find most things they want (in the store),” Brown said.
Employees Wednesday morning were training in the 18,000- square-foot store, which is slightly smaller than other locations. The store setup concept is the fourth of its kind, following Oklahoma City, Denver and Vienna, Virginia.
Counters throughout the store allow customers to set items out and get ideas.
“The store is designed to be very interactive,” Brown said. “We want people to touch, see and feel our products.”
Entering the store and heading to the right takes customers to kitchen organization, one of the three largest departments in the store.
“There’s everything from flour and sugar containers to pantry organization,” Brown said.
Elfa, a popular custom closet and shelving system, sits on the kitchen area walls. As customers walk farther back in the store, they will find cleaning products including mops, brooms and sponges.
There’s also an aisle for bath, laundry and shower organization. On the ends of the aisles are containers for toiletries to help avoid scattering items across the bathroom countertop.
The store also has travel organization. In addition to suitcases, customers will find “pack-it” folders to prevent ironed items from getting wrinkled during travel.
As visitors approach the back of the store, they’ll find dozens of types of hangers. Some hangers have hooks for belts and scarves, but there are also typical acrylic hangers and velvet hangers. The store also has wooden hangers that match closet finishes.
Closets and custom closets are the two other large departments in the store. Laren, a custom closet line has examples in the store and wood hangers match the finish, while Elfa products provide steel shelves and racks for closets.
The closets sections have drawers and cabinets. Clothes and shoes are on the shelves to help potential buyers picture possible ways to use the space.
The store also offers custom closet consultations. Store designers can visit a home and look at it in about 30 minutes. They can then draw up a rendering to help people organize a closet or pantry.
Just past the closet section, in the back left corner of the store, are other kinds of storage and containers. Brown said the products could be used for toys and dorm organization. Walking back towards the front of the store, shoppers will find things like woven baskets.
In front of the containers, the store offers office supply organizational items – letter trays, file storage and cord control items.
“We have products that help with your desktop to what’s underneath,” Brown said.
The store also sells display cases for hockey pucks, baseballs, basketballs and footballs. However, Brown said many of the items are “multi-purpose.”
“Often times, we learn from our customers and are able to share those ideas,” Brown said.
Also at the front, a gift wrap section is organized by birthday, baby, wedding and other celebrations. Gift boxes, ribbons and bows are available.
And near the registers, smaller baskets and boxes for storage can be found, along with knickknacks.
Mayor Mike Palazzolo complimented The Shopping Center Group for “attracting one-of-a-kind customers” to the suburb with the center’s mix of retail options.
“We have a very welcoming environment and safe environment,” he said. “That transitions into a pleasurable shopping experience for our residents and visitors. … There’s something for everyone.”
The grand opening will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Giveaways will be held every hour on the hour, Brown said. Items given away will include products and gift cards, and one person will receive a $1,000 closet makeover.
The store has partnered with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and 10% of all sales opening weekend will benefit the pediatric hospital.
Hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Original article appeared here.