Retailer Celebrates Reno by Showcasing Eight Local Makers and Artisans In Store
Home furnishings retailer West
Elm will open a new store in Reno, Nevada on Thursday, August 11,
bringing approximately 30 jobs to the downtown area. Occupying 11,000
square feet on the main floor of the former U.S. Post Office building at
50 South Virginia St. West Elm Reno joins The Basement marketplace, an
underground venue with a mission to create a multi-use incubator space
of both retail and food vendors celebrating handicraft. As part of West
Elm’s LOCAL program, products from eight Reno-based makers and designers
will be featured with the store’s fall assortment of modern furnishings
and décor.
“The revival of downtown Reno is an inspiring example of how a network
of entrepreneurs, artists, and makers can help a city to preserve and
honor its history,” said West Elm president Jim Brett. “Opening our
doors in the former post office is just the first step in our commitment
to support our new community as part of downtown Reno’s placemaking
movement.”
West Elm Reno is housed within Reno’s former main post office, built in
1934 and located at the heart of the city’s civic center. Today, the
landmark has been meticulously restored and stands as a relic of Art
Deco style in downtown Reno. Guided by historical preservation, West Elm
has incorporated the building’s original architecture and ornate details
in the store’s design. Preserved period elements such as the original
post office boxes were used to display the West Elm sign behind the
register, while motifs from the building’s exterior door pediments were
recreated from raw wood and metal materials for the front cash wrap.
“West Elm’s community-focused store is as unique as the space they will
call home,” said Bernard Carter, managing member of 50 South Virginia
LLC, a local development group. “A catalyst for future redevelopment in
our downtown, West Elm represents the return of a significant retail
experience and demonstrates how vibrant Reno has become.”
To celebrate the opening, West Elm has partnered with Reno-based artist Peter
Laxalt to design an exclusive tote bag that will be presented to the
first 300 shoppers with a $50 minimum purchase. Additional store opening
activities will include a sweepstakes*
offering local customers a chance to win a $2,000 gift card and an
invitation to a private pre-opening celebration on Wednesday, August 10
from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. to benefit The
Holland Project, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that
aims to support and create opportunities for young people in Reno
through access to art, music, culture and community involvement.
A selection of locally made products by eight Reno-based makers and
artisans will be available as part of the West Elm Reno LOCAL
assortment including:
-
Casey
D Sibley: A studio specializing in colorful and modern textile
design for handmade accessories and home goods.
-
Haus
of Reed: A manufacturer of custom goods that uses a blend of
traditional technique and modern style.
-
Laxalt
and McIver: A visual branding group that constructs prints to
evoke emotion and inspire creativity.
-
Pantry
Products: A line of blended-by-hand, small-batch soaps that are
all-natural and chemical free.
-
Paper
Boat Studios: A letterpress and design studio that creates
cheerful and whimsy coasters.
-
Red
Line Design: A photographer and mixed media artist that designs
greeting cards for every occasion.
-
Tia
Flores Calabaza Sculptures: An artist whose rich ancestry inspires
works of art.
-
Wild
Wood Supply Co.: A wood worker that constructs furniture and art
from salvaged wood.
For up-to-date information on in-store promotions and events, customers
are encouraged to Like the West Elm Reno store on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westelmreno
and follow the store on Instagram: @westelmreno.
West Elm Reno is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday 11
p.m.- 6 p.m. The store’s address is 50 South Virginia St. Reno, NV 89501
and the phone number is 775.324.0192.
*Open only to residents that live within the Reno, NV area. Official
rules of the sweepstakes can be found on the Reno
Sweepstakes page.
About West Elm
West Elm helps customers express their personal style at home.
Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, the brand launched in 2002 in DUMBO, the
neighborhood it still proudly calls home. Everything West Elm does is
designed to make an impact, from its commitment to Fair Trade Certified,
local and handcrafted products to its community-driven in-store events
and collaborations. Mixing clean lines, natural materials and
handcrafted collections from the US and around the world, West Elm
creates unique, affordable designs for modern living. The brand operates
89 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK,
ships internationally to customers around the world and operates stores
in Mexico, the Middle East and Philippines through unaffiliated
franchisees. West
Elm is part of an active community on Facebook,
Instagram,
Pinterest,
Twitter
and YouTube,
and is a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands.
