Posts by Kathy Belcher (page 2)
Really, I work with all the folks who support our customers
every day, fulfilling our promise of a hand crafted customer service
experience, whether they are in retail stores, in our call center, or
supporting our trade customers. I’m also
hot on the trail of potential new retail store locations for Rejuvenation,
getting the opportunity to bring more customers to our brand.
I’ve always worked in retail store operations and
management, for companies big and small, but Rejuvenation is a unique
experience for me. Its about products that matter and that are enduring and
endearing, to help make the home environment even more special. We attract employees that feel the same;
they’re here for all the right reasons and they really care about what the
customer experiences in our stores, or on the phone, or on a job site. That means that I get to be surrounded by
great people, in a great environment, talking to folks about our great
products, and helping them make their homes their own. I think I am pretty fortunate. And, while we are not a new company or brand
by any stretch of the imagination, we are still new to so many people – it is
great to be on the front line of telling them about our terrific brand.
I can teach you why we do what we do in terms of a store
experience at Rejuvenation, and maybe answer some questions you may have along
the way as we open stores in new cities across the U.S.
2 truths and one lie – let’s see… I’ve visited all 50 states,
I have 3 pug/terrier mix dogs that I dote upon, and I grew up on a farm and
raised polled Hereford steers for 4-H.
The Rejuvenation exterior sign is hoisted into place.
We’re in the final stages of preparing for our new store opening in LA! Labor Day weekend meant a lot of “labor” was going on in our new southern home, but it has been a true labor of love. While the new store team was learning all about Rejuvenation lighting, house parts, register processes and procedures, our on-the-ground support (Steelab, GDLA, Helms and lots of craftsmen) were working around the clock to get the store ready to open. Fear not — the chaos is of the organized variety, and we’ll soon be putting the finishing touches on the project! Here are some photos taken by the team.
In a few days this will be filled with lighting and house parts.
Lighting and house parts waiting to be placed in the new space.
We were able to use the adjoining space to receive and stage our product. Erin, our Display Designer and Coordinator, unpacking fixtures and getting them ready to hang.
Director of Marketing, Bob, spent two days in LA hanging lighting in our vignettes. This was his work station for the days he was there.
Tony, Product Manager of Lighting, working on the installation of our Colonial Revival collection.
Erin not only designs our store displays, she's also handy when it comes time to install the finishing touches.
Awaiting lights and all things Rejuvenation
It must seem like we do a Field Trip weekly here at Rejuvenation but I assure you this is not the case. However, when your new store is basically being assembled here in Portland, you’ve got to travel to see the store’s work in progress. Today’s adventure was to Security Signs, a family owned company that’s been in business since 1925.
Siesta Motel
It’s an impressive factory, where they design and manufacture cool signage for business and other applications. They’ve been a part of Portland history along the way, and have some of the vintage signs from back in the day prominently on display in their facility (Many are still installed around our city).
Birds Eye View
We’re going to have 2 really amazing signs on our new store in LA – one on the Helm’s side and one facing Venice Blvd. It certainly helps to have a big long name sometimes!
- This is the channel that holds our sign.
The letters are being fabricated today; it’s quite a process, done by hand by master craftsman that have worked there for years and take great pride in their work. (hmmm…this is sounding vaguely familiar!)
Our tricky font R - done by hand.
We couldn’t wait to see our fixtures assembled in our in store in LA this September, so we decided to take a field trip to Steelab’s factory in North Portland. We were really impressed by their operation, attention to details, and the quality craftmanship that is going into our fixtures. We’re proud it’s another home grown Portland company, doing great work. Here’s a photo from our field trip.
Our new cash wrap is custom furniture quality
See you soon in LA!
Steelab in Progress
For our new location in LA at Helms Bakery, opening this September, we have a brand new prototype display frame that was designed just for us — to show Rejuvenation’s lighting and house parts off to their very best advantage. I think you will like the results.
The display framework (from which we hang our fixture vignettes or, what we call when we are feeling romantic — clouds) is being fabricated right here in Portland, OR, by a local company, Steelab (www.steelab.com). Robb is the owner, and his team takes great care to make the framework exactly to our specifications. To make sure it is perfect, Steelab is coming with us to LA for a week to install said fixtures. Here’s a little blurb from Robb:
“All of our projects are manufactured 100% in-house at our Portland Oregon facility. Wood, metal, plastic, glass, fabric….sand, weld, glue, polish, sew… it all happens here at the hands of our craftspeople. Nobody knows the project better then the people who built it. Our team travels to any city in the country installing or managing the installation of projects, all the while documenting that city’s ability to make a good cappuccino.”
There are about 8 of these set-up in the LA store – one per major lighting era or style, from Period Basics, to Mid-Century Modern, to Victorian and so on – all designed to inspire you to chose cool lighting and house-parts for your space or project.
Here’s a few photos of the work in progress:
Lincoln Logs
Team LA
Less than 30 days until we emerge in LA at the Helms Bakery District. A few weeks ago we visited our space and participated in our first event – the LA Eat Real Fest. Over 20,000 new customers and fans of Rejuvenation got a preview of our space, our new store team members (David – Store Manager and Doug – Trade Specialist), our new inspirational photography, and cool new products. We can’t wait to open!
Helms Avenue Rejuvenation
