Today is the Grand Opening of out•fit, the new shop inside the club.
Jen Snyder, out•fit’s Supervisor, has a full day of fun planned for members. As a reminder, here’s what you can expect.
Food!
Visit the shop in the morning, and you can enjoy coffee and pastries while you check out the goods. In the afternoon, fruit and cookies will be available, and in the early evening hours, the club is providing veggie trays, cheeses, and wine.
Giveaways!
Make a purchase and you’ll receive a free Midtown tshirt and a pair of Midtown logo sunglasses
The winner of the iPad, which you were automatically entered to win if you completed the club communication survey last fall, will be announced.
You can enter to win a Wilson tennis bag.
On-site Product Reps!
A representative from Babor, the skin care line available in the Spa at Midtown, which will also be available in the shop, will answer any skin care questions you might have.
An Ambassador from Lululemon will be available to answer product questions.
Don’t forget to check out all the product and clothing lines you’ll find in out•fit here.
Did you shop in out•fit today? What did you think of the shop?
11 days from now, the tarps come down and the new retail space will open.
I’m very excited about having a shop return to the club, and the fact that the focus is expanding to offer not only gear for the sports and activities in which we all participate, but also those convenience items we always forget (ear buds, sunscreen, socks, etc.).
The shop opens on Tuesday, March 1st, at 9am, and Jen Snyder, Retail Space Supervisor, has a full day of fun planned.
Here’s what you can expect.
Food!
Visit the shop in the morning, and you can enjoy coffee and pastries while you check out the goods. In the afternoon, fruit and cookies will be available, and in the early evening hours, the club is providing veggie trays, cheeses, and wine.
Giveaways!
Make a purchase and you’ll receive a free Midtown tshirt and a pair of Midtown logo sunglasses
The winner of the iPad, which you were automatically entered to win if you completed the club communication survey last fall, will be announced.
You can enter to win a Wilson tennis bag.
On-site Product Reps!
A representative from Babor, the skin care line available in the spa, which will also be available in the shop, will answer any skin care questions you might have.
An Ambassador from Lululemon will be available to answer product questions.
Jen tells me that she is so excited about the retail space functioning as “so much more than a pro shop.” She is completely open to member product suggestions (remember, she hosted a fantastic giveaway last month so she could gather all your ideas), and wants you to communicate them both to the shop staff, and via our Facebook page, this blog, and the front desk.
She says, “My hopes for the shop are that members can easily find what they are looking for, and some things pleasantly unexpected as well. I hope to keep things fresh, exciting, and completely convenient for all members. Feedback will be taken with great care and put to the best use.”
If you’re like me, you’re dying for a peek behind the sheets covering the opening to the space where Bell Racquet Sports used to operate.
In the Winter issue of Spirit, the manager of the new retail space, Jennifer Snyder, hinted at what’s to come. When I sat down with her last week, she dished on even more secrets.
The store has a name, but it’s being kept under wraps for now.
She did share it with me, and I will tell you that it’s smart, creative, and captures the essence of the club perfectly.
The look and feel will be much different than that of the previous shop.
Jennifer has an inspired vision for the shop. She wants the space to be warm, inviting, and alive – a place you will want to enter and stay awhile. She envisions more of a high-end gift shop environment and less of a sports store. Soft music will play, plants will enhance the space, and the merchandise will cater to members’ varied needs.
The focus is on lifestyle …
The retail store will blend tennis and other athletic gear with lifestyle merchandise. You will still be able to purchase racquets, strings, grips, and workout clothes, but the store’s product line will also include casual wear and other non-athletic clothing, including high-end dresses and shirts to wear outside the club. Jennifer was the manager at L’avant Garbe & Men-tality, so if anyone knows about fashion, it’s her.
You can check out the lines the store will carry on our Retail Space page.
And convenience.
I’m sure I’m not alone in arriving at the club only to realize I’ve forgotten my iPod’s earbuds. Jennifer wants the store to cater to members’ last-minute shopping needs, and as such, the store will stock things we typically forget until it’s (almost) too late. Gifts, greeting cards, padlocks, earbuds (yay!) and other convenience items will appear on shelves.
Opening Day is
Tuesday, March 1st!
Hours of operation are:
Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm
Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 9am-3pm
Opening day will be a big deal at the club. Specials, giveaways, raffles, and great food and drinks are all on tap for the big celebration.
Now here’s where YOU come in.
Jennifer stressed often during our talk that communicating with members is very important to her. After all, this is our store, and she wants to stock it with items we want and need.
So, leave a comment below to let Jennifer know what you would like the store to carry. Have a favorite brand of athletic socks you want stocked? Always forgetting your tie or cuff links and want to grab them on your way out the door to work? Let us know that too.
One lucky current member who leaves a comment suggesting a product idea or line for the store will receive a $100 Spa Gift Card – perfect for you, or perfect for a loved one as a gift for Valentine’s Day.
I will select one winner via Random.org on Wednesday, January 26th, at 5pm, and post the name of the winner on our Facebook page and here on the blog on January 27th.
So, what do you want carried in your new retail store?
* Congratulations to Heather Gagnier, who has won the $100 gift card from the Spa at Midtown. Thanks to everyone who submitted such awesome ideas for the new retail space. I will be passing on your suggestions to Jennifer Snyder, the store manager. The store opens in just over a month!
Kristi Gaylord is the Director of Social Media for TCA. An avid writer and reader, Kristi’s other interests include distance running and children’s nutrition.
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