The SuperTarget at 14200 E. Ellsworth Ave. in Aurora was one of the first metro-area stores to get a major remodel, and store officials say they’ve already seen an increase in sales.
The Aurora SuperTarget unveiled its new look July 24, and shopper response has been positive, said Mark Everett, group director.
“We wanted to give guests an even more up-to-date shopping experience,” Everett said about the pilot remodel of the chain that’s launched in Colorado.
The Superior store at 400 Marshall Road also debuted the overhaul, and the Thornton location at 1001 E. 120th Ave., Denver West at 14500 W. Colfax Ave. in Lakewood, the Glendale store at 4301 E. Virginia Ave. and Denver Southwest at 9390 W. Cross Drive in Littleton will reveal the new look in October.
The Denver area is the first market where six SuperTargets will receive a full overhaul of hardgoods and grocery departments, 10 additional SuperTarget stores will receive the latest merchandising innovations.
“The Denver metro area is one of the largest SuperTarget populations in the chain,” Everett said about the pilot program. “Guests are giving us better reviews, and that shows in sales (figures).”
SuperTarget improvements include redesigned and remerchandised beauty, home, electronics, shoes, baby and grocery departments.
Most of the departments have lowered merchandise shelves, which enables shoppers to more easily see the entire selection of inventory. Towels, for example, are all grouped in one section, and the baby department has been consolidated to include all gear, furniture, supplies and apparel in one section.
The grocery component has expanded the assortment of fresh foods, dairy and frozen goods, and signage has been redesigned.
The Glendale store, one of the busiest in the chain and the only Colorado location to sell liquor, will expand the liquor department.
“This year we’re putting capital dollars into refreshing stores, rather than throwing up new ones,” Everett said.
Fine wine.
The Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder, as well as Aspen’s Little Nell, have won the Wine Spectator Grand Award for 2011.
The Flagstaff House, owned and operated by Don, Mark and Scott Monette, is one of the few restaurants worldwide to win the recognition every year since it opened in 1983.
Roughly 80 restaurants in the world have ever achieved the designation Grand Award, which is given to a few wine lists each year.
The Monettes’ other restaurant, Monettes Artisan Fish and Steak on the Big Island of Hawaii, has won Wine Spectator’s Best of Excellence Award for the past two years.
“Wine Spectator’s reputation, extremely high standards, and dedication to excellence makes this a real honor,” said Mark Monette.
The Flagstaff House wine list is compiled from the restaurant’s 12,000-bottle wine cellar.
Making a move.
Pentax Imaging Co., the camera manufacturer, will announce specifics about its headquarters move from Golden to downtown Denver at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St.
Speakers will include Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Pentax Imaging president Ned Bunnell and Downtown Denver Partnership Board chairman Ferd Belz.
The company is currently located at 12th and Ford streets in Golden, and employs 50 people. Pentax Imaging Systems was sold July 1 to Ricoh Company Ltd.
No specifics on the Denver relocation were given by Pentax.
Fine diners.
The rock band Train put on the feed bag Thursday at The Palm after their Red Rocks show with Maroon 5. Train members scarfed down steak and lobster dinners.
Also at The Palm, Texas Gov. Rick Perry joined a lunch bunch Friday that included notables Pete and Jeff Coors, Charlie Gallagher and former U.S. ambassador to Finland Marilyn Ware.
Perry is likely to throw his hat into the Republican presidential primary ring.
EAVESDROPPING
A man on Facebook:
“I’m going to pig wrestling tonight at the Jackson County Fair in Wyoming. I told my wife and she said, ‘How do they teach pigs to wrestle each other?’ “
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Hear her on “Caplis & Silverman” between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
