The 2005 VM+SD Retail Renovation Competition

Retailers are setting a new stage for future retail expansion. Rather than building a bunch of new stores from the ground up, many retailers are opting to revitalize existing locations or breathe life into deserted spaces by renovating them for new store use.

With budgets tight, lack of space for expansion, existing stores going out of business and vacated buildings popping up, retailers are increasingly viewing renovation as a viable option.

To honor that work, VM+SD has created the annual Retail Renovation Competition, reviewing projects before renovation, in progress and upon completion.

Judges gathered in July at the Cincinnati offices of FRCH Design Worldwide for a review of entries, and named the Lane Bryant renovation at Easton Town Center (Columbus) the overall winner. All were equally impressed by the transformation of a simple white box with extremely high ceilings into a space with detailed architectural fixturing in the shape of archways and a ceiling grid to help bring the height down to a more intimate level.

This year's judging panel included: Bruce Dybvad, president, Design Forum; Kyle Kieper, vp, creative director, FRCH Design Worldwide; Nadine King, senior designer, Federated Department Stores; Ken Pray, coordinator, store design, Kroger; and Robert Rich, principal, BHDP Architecture.

To find out more about VM+SD's Retail Renovation Competition, or to enter next year's contest, contact Alicia Hanson at 513-263-9380 or alicia.hanson@stmediagroup.com. Also, check the web for updates.

Best of Show

Lane Bryant
Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio
First Place
Specialty Store, Sales Area under 10,000 sq.ft.

House of Blues
Cleveland, Ohio
First Place
Specialty Store, Sales Area over 10,000 sq. ft

Home Economist Market
Charlotte, North Carolina
First Place
Supermarket or Service Retailer

Award of Merit

Hyde Park Bank
Chicago, Illinois
Award of Merit
Supermarket or Service Retailer

Melanie Lyne
Carrefour Laval, Laval, Quebec
Award of Merit
Sales Area
Under 10,000 sq.ft.