The TOMS Chicago store is right in the thick of the Bucktown/Wicker Park area, just down the street from the Damen stop on the blue line. In a former Caribou Coffee, the space was already perfectly equipped for a cafe, with ample space for retail and seating.

 

This space required less work than other spaces, but a new imagining of the retail/cafe flow needed to be addressed. By sectioning the long rectangular space into 4 zones - seating, retail, cafe and back of house we were able to resolve this tricky issue. By building a suspended shelving unit we defined the front of the store as a lounge, dividing it from the retail and cafe area. The cafe features a drop ceiling and a stunning wall of TOMS blue tile. We were able to fit in a full back stock room and refurbished the two bathrooms as well.

 

The store also features a newly designed modular fixture system that adapts to display the newest TOMS category, bags. Inspiration was drawn from Chicago itself and the store has a very distinct and polished aesthetic while still feeling eclectic and globally inspired like TOMS.

 

Role: Visual Merchandising Manager

Responsibilities:

• Design of entire retail space, fixtures, signage, layout and graphics

• Managed a team to complete design projects

• Sourced FF&E & decor

• Hands on assistance during store set up including hand painting and merchandising

• Oversaw vendors and craftsmen working on projects