WEST ELM IS FIRST NATIONAL RETAILER TO OPEN IN DOWNTOWN RENO IN THIRTY YEARS
Retailer Celebrates Reno by Showcasing Eight Local Makers and Artisans In Store
Home furnishings retailer West Elm will open a new store in Reno, Nevada on Thursday, August 11, bringing approximately 30 jobs to the
downtown area. Occupying 11,000 square feet on the main floor of the former U.S. Post Office building at 50 South Virginia St. West
Elm Reno joins The Basement marketplace, an underground venue with a mission to create a multi-use incubator space of both retail
and food vendors celebrating handicraft. As part of West Elm’s LOCAL program, products from eight Reno-based makers and designers
will be featured with the store’s fall assortment of modern furnishings and décor.
“The revival of downtown Reno is an inspiring example of how a network of entrepreneurs, artists, and makers can help a city to
preserve and honor its history,” said West Elm president Jim Brett. “Opening our doors in the former post office is just the first
step in our commitment to support our new community as part of downtown Reno’s placemaking movement.”
West Elm Reno is housed within Reno’s former main post office, built in 1934 and located at the heart of the city’s civic
center. Today, the landmark has been meticulously restored and stands as a relic of Art Deco style in downtown Reno. Guided by
historical preservation, West Elm has incorporated the building’s original architecture and ornate details in the store’s design.
Preserved period elements such as the original post office boxes were used to display the West Elm sign behind the register, while
motifs from the building’s exterior door pediments were recreated from raw wood and metal materials for the front cash wrap.
“West Elm’s community-focused store is as unique as the space they will call home,” said Bernard Carter, managing member of 50
South Virginia LLC, a local development group. “A catalyst for future redevelopment in our downtown, West Elm represents the return
of a significant retail experience and demonstrates how vibrant Reno has become.”
To celebrate the opening, West Elm has partnered with Reno-based artist Peter Laxalt to design an exclusive tote bag that will be presented to the first 300 shoppers with a $50 minimum
purchase. Additional store opening activities will include a sweepstakes* offering local customers a chance to win a $2,000 gift card and an invitation to a private
pre-opening celebration on Wednesday, August 10 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. to benefit The Holland Project, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that aims to support and create opportunities
for young people in Reno through access to art, music, culture and community involvement.
A selection of locally made products by eight Reno-based makers and artisans will be available as part of the West Elm Reno
LOCAL assortment including:
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Casey D Sibley: A studio specializing in colorful and modern textile design for handmade accessories and
home goods.
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Haus of Reed: A manufacturer of custom goods that uses a blend of traditional technique and modern style.
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Laxalt and McIver: A visual branding group that constructs prints to evoke emotion and inspire creativity.
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Pantry Products: A line of blended-by-hand, small-batch soaps that are all-natural and chemical free.
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Paper Boat Studios: A letterpress and design studio that creates cheerful and whimsy coasters.
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Red Line Design: A photographer and mixed media artist that designs greeting cards for every occasion.
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Tia Flores Calabaza Sculptures: An artist whose rich ancestry inspires works of art.
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Wild Wood Supply Co.: A wood worker that constructs furniture and art from salvaged wood.
For up-to-date information on in-store promotions and events, customers are encouraged to Like the West Elm Reno store on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/westelmreno and follow the store on Instagram: @westelmreno. West Elm Reno is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 p.m.- 6 p.m. The store’s
address is 50 South Virginia St. Reno, NV 89501 and the phone number is 775.324.0192.
*Open only to residents that live within the Reno, NV area. Official rules of the sweepstakes can be found on the Reno Sweepstakes page.
About West Elm
West Elm helps customers express their personal style at home. Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, the brand launched in 2002 in
DUMBO, the neighborhood it still proudly calls home. Everything West Elm does is designed to make an impact, from its commitment to
Fair Trade Certified, local and handcrafted products to its community-driven in-store events and collaborations. Mixing clean
lines, natural materials and handcrafted collections from the US and around the world, West Elm creates unique, affordable designs
for modern living. The brand operates 89 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK, ships internationally to
customers around the world and operates stores in Mexico, the Middle East and Philippines through unaffiliated franchisees.
West Elm is part of an active community on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube, and is a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands.
Contacts for West Elm:
Nicole Sutliff
718-780-4416
nsutliff@wsgc.com
or
Andres (Dru) Ortega
718-780-0452
aortega2@wsgc.com
or
Stella Shi
718-780-4463
sshi@wsgc.com
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