Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Bloomingdale's By the Beach: New Santa Monica Place Anchor Store Animates Space with SoCal Spirit
New York City's Bloomingdale's is poised to open their 41st store--the 8th in California--which will anchor the newly remodeled Santa Monica Place mall. Taking a cue from their SoHo location, as well as drawing liberally from the aesthetic of the beach, the two floors of high-end fashion and accessories is set to appeal to the discerning customer in search of trends, color, style, and the customer service of Bloomingdale's.
The design of the store employs a "raw or almost brutal texture," explained a Bloomingdale's executive during a preview tour of the renovated space that first housed The Broadway when the mall opened in October 1980, and was last a Macy's. The store's iconic black-and-white checkerboard floors have a scruffed finish, and design elements reflect the spirit of using "reclaimed, reused, and repurposed" materials.
Upstairs in women's wear, a moving overhead rack transports dressed mannequins around the showroom, while behind the Forty Carrots frozen yogurt shop, in the Style Bar, dressing room "pods" can be raised and lowered to use the space for events or personal shopping, respectively. Images iconic of Santa Monica are interspersed on the sales floor, from a blinking lit arrow reclaimed from a carnival to match the Ferris wheels, to the artwork on the walls; even the doors of the bathroom stalls show beach-goers frolicking in the Pacific surf.
Both the artistic and space-conscious touches are what store manager Rhonda Lantz-Teichert call "flirtatious" and "whimsical," and allow innovative use for on-site stock storage as well as a way to "animate" the environment, notes Charles Anderson, Director of Stores.
Support for LAist comes from
What was formerly a somewhat uninspired retail "box" is now infused with light, bold color, quirky creative touches, and of course all the merchandise you expect to see at a department store like Bloomingdale's, though surely fashionistas will take note of their varied selection from head (sunglasses, natch) to toe (shoes, shoes, shoes!). Regardless of your personal style, on the other side of these windows there's lots to shop for with your eyes...and if you're so inclined, your wallet.
Bloomingdale's at Santa Monica Place opens August 6th.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist