LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeleno hipsters,
commuters and tourists can now say they have one thing in common
and that's where to find their inner athlete. Sport Chalet, Inc., a
specialty sporting goods retailer, is providing the bustling urban
community of downtown Los Angeles
with an innovative new store located at FIGAT7TH. The modern store
layout, designed by Gensler, introduces the Expert Center, a hub in
the center of the store designed to host classes and clinics that
encourage customers of all experience levels to discover something
new and embrace an active lifestyle.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/LA40789)
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130509/LA11443LOGO)
From highlighting the hottest trends to offering the community's
most in-demand sports gear, the new Sport Chalet will ensure
downtown Angelenos are equipped to pursue their favorite sport or
outdoor activity. Kicking-off the grand opening, Sport Chalet will
host 52 weeks of consecutive in-store clinics that will allow
sports enthusiasts to take part in classes, such as cycling,
training, hiking and scuba, with experienced and professionally
trained expert staff members.
"We did the research and found that the downtown Los Angeles community in particular is
underserved today. There's a critical need for a community-oriented
retailer that can provide an opportunity for residents, commuters
and tourists to try, learn and experience their preferred sport at
ease," said Craig Levra, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Sport Chalet. "The new store
location at FIGAT7TH provides customers who are both well-educated
and experienced in their sports of choice, or who have an innate
need to try something new, with the right gear and resources to get
in the game."
The design team at Gensler worked hand in hand with Sport Chalet
to reinvigorate Sport Chalet's retail identity as the urban
resource for sporting gear, advice and support from the Experts.
The new layout also includes flexible fixtures and modules that
allow for the store to be transformed overnight. Unlike the
existing Sport Chalet one-stop-shop format encompassing 42,000
square feet, this 27,000 square feet store will carry targeted
sporting equipment, including cycling, training, scuba and running
gear. Consumers will also be able to order from all of Sport
Chalet's offerings through iPad systems located throughout the
store.
"The store design emphasizes both aesthetics and function," said
Joshua Breeden, the project
architect at Gensler. "We wanted to create a space that highlights
what Sport Chalet offers above any other specialty sporting goods
retailer -- Expert positioning and knowledge. With this in mind, we
designed the Expert Center -- a landmark location within the store
-- to facilitate customer interaction with the Experts on any topic
ranging from bike repair to the best surfing spots in the area. The
audio-visual capabilities, reconfigurable seating and display
elements in this area also allow the Experts to conduct a wide
range of instructional and hands-on events throughout the
year."
Sport Chalet's impact on the revitalization of Los Angeles is designed to bring additional
jobs to the community and provide recreational area that members of
the community feel comfortable learning and pursuing their favorite
sport. The 68 Experts, currently staffed at FIGAT7TH, will continue
to grow during peak seasons to host additional educational sessions
for a variety of sports. In anticipation of the tourist traction,
seven foreign language speaking experts who are fluent in English,
Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Hindi will also be on
staff to assist shoppers. FIGAT7TH will also have the robust rental
equipment program for which Sport Chalet is known, in order to
continue to provide an easy way for consumers to arrive at their
destinations ready to play. The store is located on the ground
floor with direct access to the street and parking lot to ensure
convenient flow of product into and out of the store.
For more information about Sport Chalet at FIGAT7TH or the
in-store clinic session please visit, SportChalet.com. For media
inquiries, contact SportChalet@formulapr.com.
About Sport Chalet
Sport Chalet (Nasdaq: SPCHA, SPCHB) is a premier, full
service specialty sporting goods retailer featuring the industry's
top sports brands in apparel, footwear, and sports equipment.
Founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz,
the company has 53 stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah; an online store at www.sportchalet.com;
a Team Sales division; and offers more than 50 specialty services
for the sports enthusiast, including online same day delivery,
climbing, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, avalanche
education, and mountain trekking instruction, car rack
installation, snowboard and ski rental and repair, Scuba training
and certification, Scuba boat charters, team sales, gait analysis,
baseball/softball glove steaming and lacing, racquet stringing, and
bicycle tune-up and repair at its store locations. For more
information, visit Sport Chalet at www.sportchalet.com.
About Gensler
Gensler is a leading global design firm with 43 offices and
3,500 employees worldwide. Gensler helps clients succeed by
focusing on the needs of the people they serve, whether they are
employees, customers, sports fans, students, passengers or guests.
Founded in 1965, Gensler has deep expertise in design and
architecture across 20 practices, including commercial office
buildings, professional services, retail, aviation, planning and
urban design, entertainment and hospitality, sports stadia and
education facilities. The firm also holds practices focusing on
brand strategy, environmental graphic design, mission-critical
facilities, and has recently invested in consulting for real estate
workplace and sustainable design. For more information, visit
Gensler at www.gensler.com.
About FIGat7th
In the heart of Downtown Los
Angeles, the newly minted FIGat7th stands as a shopping and
dining oasis with a decidedly Southern
California flavor. Enhanced with Brookfield's $40 million makeover, this open-air destination
offers a contemporary urban retail experience for Downtown's
professional, visitor and growing residential populace. Anchored by
one of the nation's first City Target stores, FIGat7th boasts more
than 330,000 square feet of retail and public space, including the
TASTE FIGat7th culinary collection. This chef-driven dining concept
features the gourmet sandwiches of Mendocino Farms, Sprinkles
Cupcakes, Paul Shoemaker's Juicy
Lucy Burger Bar, Oleego by Parks BBQ, Indus by Saffron from
Bhupender Singh, George's Greek
Grill and The MELT. Other dining options set to open as part of the
collection include Loteria from Jimmy
Shaw, Pazzo Gelato, The Pizza Studio and Flying Pig.
FIGat7th also offers indoor and outdoor seating for more than 500
dining guests, terraces, green space and casual cafe-style dining.
Additional amenities include complimentary WiFi, seasonal Arts and
Events programming, chef demonstrations and branded events. New
retail concepts continue to open at the center, starting with a
new, urban format Sport Chalet, as well as a flagship restaurant
from City Tavern, and a crop of contemporary fashion and product
retailers later this year. To learn more about FIGat7th, please
visit figat7th.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
SOURCE Sport Chalet