11-28-2007, 04:47 PM
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Williams-sonoma and Pottery Barn open Dec 1
Quote:
Williams-Sonoma cookware store, revamped Pottery Barn opening
U.S. company caters to Vancouver's 'strong food community' with gourmet 'gadgets'
Upscale home furnishings chain Williams-Sonoma Inc. launches two new South Granville retail experiences on Dec. 1 -- opening its first Vancouver Williams-Sonoma gourmet cookware store and unveiling an expanded Pottery Barn outlet just three blocks away.
Williams-Sonoma Inc. executive vice-president Patrick Connolly said the ventures represent a "significant investment" for the San Francisco-based company that's bullish on the Vancouver market.
"We know Vancouver has a real interest in food and entertaining, certainly as much as any place in Canada or the United States," he said in an interview from San Francisco. "There's a strong food community there and we're very excited about bringing the unique Williams-Sonoma experience to Vancouver."
A new 7,000 sq. foot Williams-Sonoma store will open at 2903 Granville St. with a "Grand Cuisine" format that includes an area for kitchen demonstrations and cooking classes. An espresso bar will be among the store's interactive components.
The renovated Pottery Barn store at 2600 Granville reopens after a six-month renovation project that nearly doubles the amount of retail space to about 25,000 sq. feet on two levels. A temporary Pottery Barn store operated from 2935 Granville during the project.
Connolly noted the Vancouver Pottery Barn needed to be expanded just four years after it opened.
"Overall, our Canadian business has exceeded expectations," he said. "We had good success with that Pottery Barn store so we wanted to replicate that (with a new Williams-Sonoma outlet). It's convenient for our customers and it's a very good shopping street."
Connolly said the company will consider other Vancouver area stores in the future but will focus on its South Granville operations now.
He said core Williams-Sonoma customers are well-travelled people who are curious about food and want to be inspired. More than half the customers are women but Connolly stressed a lot of men also like the store because it offers so many "gadgets."
He said company officials wanted to open the new Vancouver store earlier this fall but understands B.C.'s booming economy has created delays in many construction schedules.
"The [city workers'] strike also didn't help but we've had great cooperation from the city and our construction suppliers so we're working hard to get the store open in time for Christmas," he said. "I wish we could have opened earlier but these things happen and you want to do it right."
The Williams-Sonoma concept began in 1956 when company founder Chuck Williams set up shop in Sonoma, Cal., offering cookware imported from France. The 92-year-old Williams, who remains actively involved in the company, is scheduled to attend a store opening celebration in Vancouver early next month.
There are 255 Williams-Sonoma stores throughout North America, including five in Canada -- with four in Toronto and one in Calgary. There are currently six Pottery Barn locations and three Pottery Barn Kids stores in Canada.
Williams-Sonoma Inc. operates 588 stores in total -- under the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm, and Williams-Sonoma Home brands.
The company posted net earnings of $208.9 million US last year on revenues of $3.7 billion US.
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