ICSC Announces 2009 "Hottest Retailers"

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) announced the winners of its 2009 “Hot Retailer” awards during RECon 2009. Each year, the retail real estate trade group recognizes “innovative” retail concepts appearing in shopping centers around the world. The four winners were chosen as the result of a survey of ICSC’s worldwide members. The winners will receive the award at ICSC RECon 2009 on Tuesday, May 19, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC’s president and CEO said the winners, “have worked hard to create products and services that drive customers to shopping centers around the world. These four retailers create exciting and interesting shopping experiences that contribute to the success of the shopping centers that have these stores as tenants.”

Note: To Read CoStar's Ongoing "Blog-Style" Story Covering Happenings and Trends at RECon 2009, Click Here.

The “HOT RETAILER” Award Winners Are….

THE BLUES JEAN BAR:

The sign in the window of this Blues Jean Bar store reads “How this Works” and instructs shoppers to tell a “jeanstender” the size, brand, wash, and style desired, and “sit back and let us do the work.” The store design mimics a neighborhood pub, selling jeans instead of drinks.

The first Blues Jean Bar was opened in 2004 by “jeans lover”, Lady Reiss. Each store is run by women “that share BJB’s vision.” Today, the company operates stores located in San Francisco’s Union Square, on Montana Ave in Santa Monica, in San Jose, at Snider Plaza in Dallas, on Fillmore Street in Denver and on North Halsted Street in Chicago.

EDWARD BEINER

Edward Beiner is an eyewear designer and retailer of fine eyewear brands. Edward Beiner’s first store opened in Miami 20 years ago and today, the company has nine high-profile locations in the Florida at: the Aventura Mall, the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Coco Walk in Coconut Grove, the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, the Mary Brickell Village in Miami, the Waterside Shops in Naples, the Mall of Millenia in Orlando, The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens and on Sunset Drive in South Miami. According to CoStar Tenant, the stores range from 825 to 3,000 square feet.

FASHIONOLOGY

Targeting tween girls, Beverly Hills-based Fashionology’s tagline is “Dream It! Make It! Wear It!” At the only U.S. Fashionology store located on Canon Drive in the elite shopping district, girls design and make their own clothes and accessories via the use of interactive touch screens and on-site heat presses and bedazzlers. Design options include fun graphics and embellishments such as rhinestones, pins, charms and necklaces.

ORANGECUP

Founded by a group of University of Texas graduates led by Chief Executive “Orange”, Kevin Lee, the OrangeCup is a frozen yogurt establishment boasting its yogurts with “live active cultures”. OrangeCup’s offerings are simply, with only three flavors on the menu that are dressed up with a variety of healthy toppings. The company has made a promise that its uniquely architectural stores will be “environmentally sound and eco-friendly” in every aspect of their operation. The company currently operates five stores in Texas at La Cantera in San Antonio; Stonebriar Centre in Frisco; NorthPark Mall in Dallas; Berkshire Court in Dallas; and Galleria Mall in Dallas.


This is ICSC’s seventh annual “Hot Retailer Awards” presentation. Previous winners include: J Crew; Pinkberry; Billabong; L.L. Bean; Apple Stores; Coach; White House/Black Market; Williams-Sonoma; Build-A-Bear Workshop; H&M; Hollister; Hot Topic; Trader Joe’s Company; Victoria’s Secret; Chico’s; American Eagle Outfitters (AE); Steve Madden; ULTA; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and many more.