Up-and-coming apparel retailer Black Chandelier is planning to quadruple its store count, expanding from four locations in its home state of Utah to 16 throughout the western U.S. by 2008 and 50 overall by 2011. And to make it all work, the firm has hitched its wagon to General Growth Properties.
The concept, which considers Urban Outfitters its closest competitor, plans to expand in middle markets before its tackles large metropolitan areas. So far, the retailer is on board at General Growth's Fashion Place in Murray, Utah, and signed on to open a store at the REIT's Boise Town Square Mall. And it's in talks to open a store at Park Meadows in Littleton, Colo. “The relationship we have with General Growth isn't exclusive, but a substantial portion of our future growth will be in General Growth malls,” says Richard Surber, president of Nexia Holdings Inc.
The Salt Lake City-based company, which is owned by Nexia Holdings Inc., has already signed an agreement to open its first store in Idaho in Boise Town Square Mall. The store, which is scheduled to open in June 2007, is expected to add $1 million in revenues within its first year of operation.