Williams-Sonoma will be reopening a retail location and cooking school
in Sonoma on October 4th in the same location where the first store
opened almost six decades ago. The timing also coincides with the 99th
birthday of Chuck Williams, the company’s legendary founder on October
2nd. Williams’ culinary legacy began in 1956 when he purchased a
hardware store in the Northern Californian wine country town of Sonoma.
An avid cook, Williams began introducing cooking and serving equipment
that he found in his travels to France. The merchandise was used by
professional chefs and had never been available to home cooks. The items
he selected quickly caught on and Williams converted the space to his
first store, which combined a clean, and well-organized merchandise
presentation with his own passion for personal service. He viewed his
customers as friends and his love of the area is reflected in the fact
that he incorporated it in the name of his company.
“This is a momentous occasion coming home to Sonoma where the company
began. It is our goal to honor this special place as well as Chuck’s
legacy with an inspiring new destination that reflects the values upon
which Chuck built the business,” said Janet Hayes, President,
Williams-Sonoma Brand. Ms. Hayes continued, “The store will feature a
curated collection of original items creating a timeline that deepens
the customer experience while also offering recent new product concepts
and introductions, continuing Chuck’s spirit of innovation.”
A cooking school featuring an innovative design allowing for hands on
instruction for up to 12 students carries on Chuck’s commitment to not
only equip, but also educate the home cook. The new concept also joins
the original footprint of the store with the residence where Chuck
Williams lived.
The original footprint has been planned with the bay shelving and black
and white floor tiles that became early trademarks for the brand. Select
fixtures and materials were salvaged and incorporated to maintain the
integrity of the architecture. A garden of raised beds and planters to
grow herbs and seasonal crops has been created for use by the onsite
culinary team. The Sonoma store is located at 605 Broadway in Sonoma,
CA. Opening hours are Monday-Sunday 9am-6pm.
About Williams-Sonoma
Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams-Sonoma brand
has been bringing people together around food. A member of
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, Williams-Sonoma
is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen
and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer
experience. Products include cookware, cooks’ tools, cutlery, electrics,
bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as
furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store has a
professional demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and tastings
conducted by expert culinary staff. Williams-Sonoma Cooking Schools,
located in select locations in the U.S. and Australia, offer hands-on
classes led by professional chefs. A comprehensive gift registry program
for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online.
On williams-sonoma.com
and the Williams-Sonoma blog, Taste,
customers can find recipes, tips and techniques that help them create
delicious meals and wonderful memories.
Copyright Business Wire 2014