Think You're a Mall at Short Hills Pro?
Released: 06/13/08
CONTACT:
Janet Cesario, marketing & sponsorship director
Leslie Trifone, marketing specialist
973.376.7359
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THINK YOU'RE A MALL AT SHORT HILLS PRO?
Only If You Know These Insider Tips From Your Favorite Boutiques
So you're a seasoned Mall at Short Hills shopper ... you know the best place to park if you're running in for your java fix at Starbucks or heading to Gucci's Trunk Show. You know that Anthropologie and Free People are owned by the same company, as are Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, and you know that although not referenced in the name, the Ralph Lauren boutique actually sells the designers' childrenswear line.
But do you know where you can create your own customized shoe? How about your very own customized eyeglasses or travel case? Do you know the best time of the month to shop at The Limited or that The Mall at Short Hills' Chanel boutique was the first ever "Accessories Only" boutique in the United States and only the second in the world? If not, read on and become a Mall at Short Hills insider ...
HOW YOUR FAVORITE STORES CAME TO BE...
~ The opening of Alain Mikli's first boutique in Paris in 1987 was the first time a designer in the eyewear industry opened their own store.
~ Anya Hindmarch comes from a family of entrepreneurs and started her business at the age of 18 in her parent's attic.
~ Betsey Johnson's very first store, Betsey Bunki Nini, opened in 1969 in Manhattan's upper east side, followed by Alley Cat, and finally the first Betsey Johnson boutique in Soho in 1978.
~ The first Body Shop boutique opened in 1976 selling just 25 handmade products with hand-written labeling.
~ Chico's was named after a parrot (a stylish one!), and their official name of Chico's FAS stands for "Folk Art Specialties" which is what they started out selling.
~ Diesel was founded in 1978 by Renzo Rosso and Adriano Goldschmied, which is why the number 78 is featured on many clothing items. The name Diesel was chosen by Rosso because 'diesel' is a word pronounced and written in the same way worldwide.
~ Hollandia's heritage begins with its founder - Issac Barssessat. In the 1970's he decided to give up his successful business as the leading Israeli artichoke farmer because of a bad back. As a result, he set out to find the perfect mattress. In Holland he came across a bed so restful that it soothed his ailing back. He brought the bed to Israel and opened the first Hollandia store there in 1981.
~ Lacoste was founded by Rene Lacoste, a tennis superstar of the 1920's. He won the French Open three times (1925, 1927 and 1929), Wimbledon twice (1925 and 1928) and the U.S. Open twice (1926 and 1927).
~ In 1950 George Berkowitz opened a fish market next to his father's grocery store in Massachusetts. In 1968 the Berkowitz family opened their first seafood restaurant next to the fish market where fish was simply prepared. Word spread, Legal Sea Foods flourished and today Legal Sea Foods is under the leadership of Roger Berkowitz, George's son.
~ Longchamp, founded in 1948, was originally geared towards leather coverings for pipes. By 1950 this developed into production of other articles and by 1955 the company began dealing in small leather goods.
~ Keep it in the family - Loro Piana was founded in Italy in 1924 by the Loro Piana family.
~ Madewell is named after the New Bedford, MA workwear company founded in 1937.
~ The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened their first satellite shop at Macy's in New York City in 1982 while the first international shop opened at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo in 1991.
~ Molton Brown originated as a hair salon and has recently launched a new hair collection for modern day living.
~ Herbert Marcus Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman and her husband Abraham Lincoln "Al" Neiman opened "...a store of Quality, a Specialty store" for well-to-do women with $25,000 that the trio had planned to invest in an Atlanta startup company called Coca-Cola. Stanley Marcus, Herbert's son and later CEO who died in 2002 at 96, often joked that Neiman Marcus was "founded on bad business judgments."
~ The Paradise's are real - Paradise Pen Company has been family owned by the Paradise family since 1988.
~ Piazza Sempione was founded in 1991 and named after the place in Milan where the first Collection was presented to the public.
~ Tumi, named after a Peruvian God, was founded in 1975 by an ex Peace Corp volunteer and began as an importer of leather duffel bags.
SOME FACTS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE MALL AT SHORT HILLS BOUTIQUES...
~ Anya Hindmarch was a consultant for British Airways designing their First Class Amenity Kit.
~ Betsey Johnson was one of the first designers to manipulate costume wear into everyday wear.
~ The Body Shop was the first international cosmetics company to be endorsed by the Humane Cosmetics Standard, a gold standard set by leading animal welfare groups across the world.
~ Bose Stereo at The Mall at Short Hills has its own private theater.
~ Brighton Collectibles is one of the only accessories manufacturers able to fully accessorize you from head to toe.
~ California Pizza Kitchen is the only Mall at Short Hills restaurant with outdoor dining.
~ The Mall at Short Hills' Chanel boutique was the first ever "Accessories Only" boutique to be opened in the United States and only the second globally.
~ You'll feel like you're walking through a quaint cottage home, but it's actually Coach's new "gallery-style" format - the first in New Jersey at The Mall at Short Hills.
~ Johnston & Murphy has provided every American president since Millard Filmore with a pair of handcrafted shoes.
~ Lancome's first ever freestanding boutique debuted at The Mall at Short Hills.
~ Legal Sea Foods is the only Mall at Short Hills' restaurant that you cannot enter from inside the shopping center.
~ The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the oldest and largest museum publishers in the United States, producing approximately thirty volumes per year including exhibition catalogs, monographs, collection catalogs and annual periodicals.
~ Molton Brown is the only boutique in The Mall at Short Hills that has a sink.
~ Award shows love Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe - The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2002 selected Moonstruck Chocolatier's truffles as the official chocolate served at the Governor's Ball and to be included in the Emmy nominees' gift bags. The 77th and 78th Annual Academy Awards selected Moonstruck Chocolatier truffles as the official chocolate of the Oscar gift bags in 2005 and 2006. Not to be outdone, Ellen featured the Crescent Moon Collection in gift bags presented to celebrity guests in 2007.
~ Praise for Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe: Oprah Winfrey chose Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe's Crescent Moon Collection to be featured on O, The Oprah Magazine's "O List" in February 2003; The Good Housekeeping Institute awarded Moonstruck with "Tastiest Truffles" title in 2005; The Rachael Ray Show selected their 4-piece Cream Cone Collection to feature in its "Snack of the Day" segment in February 2008, and the Food Network’s Food Finds declared Moonstruck Chocolatier makes "some of the most elegant truffles in the Western Hemisphere."
~ In addition to boutiques, Ross-Simons has a strong catalog business, mailing over 50 million catalogs to customers all over the world.
DID YOU KNOW THEY DID THIS...
~ Allen Edmonds "Custom" allows you to select your desired color, leather and sole for a truly custom shoe designed by you.
~ Allen Edmonds shoes can be returned to their original glory with their exclusive recrafting process.
~ babystyle hosts story time for the little ones every Wednesday at 11am.
~ Betsey Johnson, a breast cancer survivor, participates avidly in breast cancer awareness campaigns.
~ Bloomingdale's professional make-up artists will give you a complimentary makeover anytime and without an appointment.
~ Bloomingdale's Insider's have access to Bloomingdale's Concierge Service, which has accommodated requests ranging from procuring a monkey for a child's birthday party, booking an African safari, arranging for pet sitting services and writing a wedding toast for a best man.
~ California Pizza Kitchen is home of the Adventure Guarantee, a promise that if you aren't delighted when you try something new, it will be replaced with one of your old favorites.
~ Every half hour, Johnny Rockets' crew members crank up the music and entertain guests with a little dancing. When not dancing, you can play music on the jukebox, where the most popular songs are "Last Dance" by Donna Summer and "Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine Band.
~ If you have a hard-to-fit foot Johnston & Murphy can custom design you a shoe to fit.
~ The Limited offers complimentary hemming on all regular priced pants.
~ In 1921, an illustrated booklet offering "suggestions and hints" for Christmas gifts begins the tradition of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's special seasonal catalog.
~ You can create a customized set of Morgenthal Frederics frames at Optica, including luxe materials of gold and horn.
~ Pottery Barn offers complimentary, hour-long decorating classes dedicated to a specific design or home entertaining topic - from fundamentals of decorating with color and patterns to hosting a spectacular dinner party.
~ Also providing off-site catering, Qdoba Mexican Grill's Hot Taco Bar can serve up to 100 people.
~ Samsonite Black Label's "Couture" program offers you the exclusive opportunity to design your own personalized travel bags and accessories by selecting styles, fabrications, trims, stitching and hardware resulting in more than 100,000 possible combinations.
HOW ABOUT THE BEST TIME TO SHOP...
~ For the best selection, shop Anya Hindmarch in January for Spring/Summer pieces and in July for Autumn/Winter.
~ Weeknights are the best time to visit babystyle - the store is quieter and you can receive one-on-one attention.
~ Betsey Johnson receives new shipments twice a week ensuring there's always something new to find.
~ Shop BOSS Hugo Boss in August when the entire Fall Collection is in-store.
~ California Pizza Kitchen adds new menu items in June and November.
~ Everything But Water receives new shipments five days a week - days are few and far between when there isn't a new arrival.
~ The Limited displays new merchandise the first and third weeks of each month.
~ Reiss displays new products weekly, ensuring there's always something new and exciting.
OR THE BEST TIME TO SHOP FOR A SALE...
~ Visit Allen Edmonds during their semi-annual trunk shows for a sneak preview of new styles and access to exclusive offers.
~ During sale time at BOSS Hugo Boss, when you purchase any sale item at 30-50% savings, you'll also receive 10% savings off the new season arrivals.
~ Chanel breaks for sale bi-annually: December for Fall/Winter and June for Cruise/Spring-Summer. It's best to visit the boutique to have a sales specialist pre-sell sale merchandise.
OR TO SHOP FOR SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE...
~ A|X Armani Exchange has packaged its sound on 11 compilation CDs spotlighting dance/electronic music.
~ The Body Shop launched its famous Peppermint Foot Lotion in the 1980's at the London Marathon in the UK, where staff handed out hundreds of free samples to all competitors at the finishing post. The story made the newspapers the next day and it's been a best selling product ever since.
~ The Body Shop's Strawberry Body Butter contains the benefits of skin-caring strawberry seed oil, a moisturizing oil extracted from succulent strawberries during the jam making process which would otherwise be wasted.
~ In 1830 Brooks Brothers introduced a lightweight summer fabric of puckered cotton, or seersucker, for the first time in America. The most ideal type of warm weather clothing, seersucker is hailed as a great clothing innovation.
~ In 1920 Brooks Brothers introduced Indian Madras to the United States with offerings in jackets, trousers and beachwear for men.
~ Children who dine at California Pizza Kitchen choose from an extensive menu recently named "Best Kids Menu in America" by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine.
~ In an average month, California Pizza Kitchen guests eat 15,245 pounds of pepperoni, 278,400 pounds of mozzarella cheese and 13,982 gallons of pizza sauce.
~ The Chanel No. 5 fragrance was named when Gabrielle Chanel chose the fifth sample of the fragrance and was convinced it would bring her luck.
~ Chanel's 2.55 handbag was named for its date of design by CoCo Chanel on February 1955 and was the first ever shoulder bag allowing women freedom of movement.
~ Everything But Water has a coverup, shirt, skirt, tunic or sarong to match every suit in the store.
~ Hollandia's mattresses have two different sides - one side firm and the other softer -- customized sleeping mattresses that can reversed according to your personal preference.
~ According to Hollandia, the mattress is the most used piece of furniture in the home. The average person spends one third of his or her life in bed, which equals 220,000 hours over a lifetime. Mot of us wait too long to replace our mattress.
~ There are 1,048,575 ways to get a Johnny Rockets hamburger, and ketchup is by far the most preferred burger topping, used by 63% of burger eaters.
~ Johnny Rockets crew members serve ketchup in the shape of a smile and twirl straws for guests.
~ The Lacoste polo featuring a crocodile on the left breast was the first time a logo was used on the outside of a shirt.
~ The Metropolitan Museum of Art's products are based on objects in the Museum's diverse collection and most items come with an enclosure detailing the item's historical background.
~ The Metropolitan Museum of Art's gold, blue, red and yellow shopping bags with Rudolph de Haraks "Metropolitan" lettering was produced in 1979 to coincide with the Met's new Art Book Shop in the Museum.
~ Neiman Marcus Short Hills is the only store in New Jersey that you can purchase Giorgio Armani for women.
~ Neiman Marcus offers Hello Kitty, Kimora Lee Simmons' luxe jewelry collection which WWD recently declared among their designer "must-have's."
~ The Neiman Marcus signature chocolate chip cookie is the subject of an urban myth, in case you haven't heard. Rest assured the terrific recipe is absolutely free and available to copy, print and pass around to family and friends. To get your copy just visit the store.
~ Optica is the only optical store in The Mall at Short Hills where you can purchase Morgenthal Frederics.
~ Paradise Pen Company is the exclusive agent for Pennsylvania artist Ed Adams who creates one-of-a-kind painted pens - true miniature masterpieces. The boutique is also the exclusive area agent for GlasArt Creations which etches optical quality crystal gift items, including desk sets, paperweights, awards and nameplates.
~ To suit the highest levels of performance, Paul & Shark created their own research and development center where designers and textile experts analyze the tests of a professional sailing team who wear all of Paul & Shark's high tech apparel during their regattas.
~ Samsonite Black Label features a truly unique line by award-winning British designer and international fashion icon Alexander McQueen.
WHERE DOES YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY SHOP...
~ The Alain Mikli brand took off in 1983 when Elton John wore Mikli glasses in public for the first time.
~ Anya Hindmarch's "Cooper" bag has been worn by Angelina Jolie, Naomi Watts and Natalie Imbruglia, and her pieces have been featured multiple times on the hit TV show Lipstick Jungle.
~ Celebrities spotted in A|X Armani Exchange eyewear include Lindsay Lohan and Eva Longoria Parker.
~ babystyle has attracted a devoted celebrity mom following including Brooke Burke, Christina Aguilera, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Liv Tyler, Halle Berry, Marcia Cross, Brooke Shields and Mariska Hargitay.
~ Bloomingdale's has hosted countless celebrities throughout its 148 year history, including a visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
~ At his second inauguration, Abraham Lincoln wore a magnificent coat specially crafted for him by Brooks Brothers. Hand stitched in the coat's lining was an intricate design featuring an eagle and the inscription "One Country, One Destiny." Sadly, it was also the coat Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated at Ford's Theater.
~ John F. Kennedy popularized Brooks Brothers' fashionable two-button suit when he wore it at his inauguration.
~ Brooks Brothers' famous Repp Tie of diagonal stripes can be seen on the hit series Gossip Girl.
~ Dolce & Gabbana have been the exclusive costume designers for Madonna, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Kylie Minogue during their world concert tours.
~ Molly Sims shopped French Connection for a dress for her birthday party (she chose the Charleston Chasers Fringe dress).
~ Ben Barnes from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian shopped in French Connection for the MTV Movie Awards.
~ Celebrities at work - Angelina Jolie wore Joseph in her film A Mighty Heart, Mary J. Blige wore Joseph at her last Madison Square Garden performance and Barbara Walters wears Joseph on The View.
~ New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath wore Puma as his team won Super Bowl III in 1969. Germany's Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985 wearing Puma shoes and playing with a Puma racket.
~ Marcia Cross and Charlize Theron are fans of Reiss.
~ True Religion Brand Jeans has amassed a list of celebrity enthusiasts including David Beckham, Courtney Cox, Tom Ford, Jennifer Garner, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Gwenyth Paltrow, Jessica Simpson, Jada Pinket Smith and Justin Timberlake.
THE MALL AT SHORT HILLS FUN FACTS...
~ In Spring '08, The Mall at Short Hills' exterior floral program featured over 5,000 tulips and 2,500 petunias. This fall, we will plant over 800 mums, followed by winter kale.
~ Episodes of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Isaac and The Look For Less were filmed at The Mall at Short Hills.
~ Approximately 40 boutiques have their only New Jersey location at The Mall at Short Hills, including Anne Fontaine, Dior, Lancome, MaxMara, O&CO. and Wolford.
~ Stargazing at The Mall at Short Hills -- celebrities spotted at The Mall at Short Hills include Oksana Baiul, Christian Bale, Carl Banks, Tiki Barber, Tyson Beckford, Bill Bellamy, Jon Bon Jovi, Lorraine Bracco, Martin Brodeur, Bobbi Brown, Mary J. Blige, Tucker Carlson, Sean Combs, Christine Ebersole, Carmen Electra, Missy Elliott, John Franco, Charles Gibson, Rudy Guiliani, Steve Harvey, Lauren Hill, Whitney Houston, Ice-T, Derek Jeter, Jane Krakowski, Jim Kramer, Lenny Kravitz, Karson Kressley, Queen Latifa, Jessie Martin, Kenyon Martin, Joe Piscipo, Jorge Posada, Robin Quivers, Kelly Ripa, Phil Rizzuto, Chris Rock, Jason Sehorn, Elizabeth Shue, Kevin Smith, Michael Strahan, Kerri Strug, Leslie Uggams, Dionne Warwick, Wendy Williams and Kim Zimmer.
~ The distance around each level of the center is 3/4 mile (including corridors).
~ For the past 3 years (and continuing this fall), The Mall at Short Hills tied in total over 600 exterior trees with pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbons in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
~ The coins collected in the Ball Fountain are donated to the United Way.
~ Peek into the ball fountain from time to time to see seasonal designs created by a member of The Mall at Short Hills' facilities department in a matter of minutes. Some past designs include Santa, reindeer, Christmas tree, dolphins, a carousel, four-leaf clovers, hearts and sailboats.
And finally, if you want to be a true Mall at Short Hills' "Insider," sign up for our weekly eBulletin at shopshorthills.com, select your 30 favorite stores and once a week you'll receive a customized e-mail with what's new and exciting at The Mall at Short Hills and those stores. Plus ... you'll have access to exclusive eBulletin-only offers.
The Mall at Short Hills is located at Route 24 and JFK Parkway in Short Hills, New Jersey, and features Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and 160 fine stores and services. Shopping hours are 10am to 9pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 7pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. Department store and restaurant hours may vary.
Preview the stores, the styles, the sales at www.shopshorthills.com.
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