New stores come to midstate, including White House/Black Market

In another sign the economy is improving, at least five new businesses in Middle Georgia have opened recently or have announced plans to open this year.

This improvement in the industry matches retail sales which have been trending upward as well.

“Every month for the last 12 months has been an improvement over the previous year in Georgia and in some segments better than others,” said Rick McAllister, president of the Georgia Retail Association. “The big boxers -- the Wal-Marts and the Targets -- really increased their market share substantially during the recession,” as people were looking for discounts. “And the specialty stores have sort of made a comeback since then. Those companies looking at growth, looking at expansion, are thinking this is the time to do it.”

New Perry store has unusual concept

A unique store opened last month in Perry. Called NU-2-U Retail, and located at 273 Perry Parkway, the business allows customers not only to buy new brand-named merchandise from stores such as JC Penney, Dillard’s, Kohl’s and Macy’s, but also lets them sell and trade clothing, said Lorra Baccili, who owns the store with her husband, Tony.

When those department stores over-purchase, “I have the option to buy (items) at a slight discount so I can give my customer a discount,” Baccili said.

She recently ordered 550 high-end purses from Macy’s, she said.

Also, customers can bring in gently used high-end name brand clothes and Baccili will put a value on the items and customers can then trade that value for other merchandise. However, anyone interested in bringing in clothes for a trade should make an appointment so the clothes can be sorted and a value put on them, she said.

The store is not large enough to carry children’s clothing, but it has clothes for boys and girls from size 14 and up through extra-large adult clothing.

The store also has an assortment of other items, such as antiques and homemade candles.

Baccili also is selling items she has been collecting since she was a child -- especially a large collection of Coke Cola memorabilia.

Baccili is originally from Illinois and her husband is from Florida.

“We came here to help a relative and fell in love with it,” she said.

The store is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.

New shops coming to River Crossing

Three new national businesses are coming to The Shoppes at River Crossing at 5080 Riverside Drive in north Bibb County: White House/Black Market, Buckle and Texas Roadhouse.

It’s continuing an upward trend at the shopping center.

“Last year, we had nine new stores open with over 45,000 square feet,” said Bill Baker, senior general manager. “Fortunately, the sales trend has also been positive since our opening” in October 2008. “We’ve been very, very fortunate.”

Here’s a look at the businesses:

White House/Black Market, which is expected to opened Thursday, is located between Bath & Body Works and Chico’s. The 3,210-square-foot store is a women’s clothing boutique that offers “chic, sophisticated apparel and accessories” mostly in black and white colors and focuses on women 25 years old and older, according to the company’s website.

“We are really excited about them coming to the center,” Baker said. “They have been the No. 1 requested retailer since our opening.”

The Florida-based company operates more than 340 boutiques and 21 outlets in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Buckle, which is expected to open its 5,310-square-foot store in late summer, will be between Charming Charlie and Forever Diamonds at River Crossing. It is a leading retailer of medium- to better-priced casual apparel, footwear and accessories for teenagers and 20something men and women.

“The Buckle will complement the rest of our junior category,” Baker said.

The Nebraska-based company operates more than 400 stores in 41 states. It provides personal customer services such as free alterations, layaways and a frequent shopper program, according to its website.

Texas Roadhouse, which is opening this fall, offers hand-cut steaks, ribs and made-from-scratch side items.

The restaurant, which will take the last open free-standing parcel, will be built between Chili’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods, Baker said. The 6,500-square-foot restaurant offers an upscale, casual atmosphere.

The company typically employs 150 to 170 people during its start up, according company spokesman Travis Doster.

The Kentucky-based company operates more than 345 restaurants in 46 states.

Ladies boutique opens in downtown Macon

Two women from Atlanta have opened a ladies shop at 512-B Second St. in downtown Macon called Peach Bunni Ladies’ Boutique.

“We sell high-fashion, trendy women’s clothes and vintage and vintage-inspired pieces for women,” said co-owner Sawanna “Sunni” Rawls. “Also, we provide handmade jewelry from an Atlanta designer.”

The shop also carries accessories, such as belts, handbags and a small selection of shoes. Rawls said she expects to have more soon.

“I would like to think most of our pieces, especially the trendy-wear, is more so targeted toward the 18-to-35 age range, because they are a little bit more trendy and not so much contemporary,” she said.

The vintage clothing would be suitable for a wider age-range, she said.

Rawls owns the shop with Doneitra “Donni” Wiggins, and both women still call Atlanta home and commute to Macon. The two met in high school, ended up in a band together and both are fashion stylists, Rawls said.

The shop opened at the end of March, but Rawls and Wiggins considered other cities before choosing Macon.

“I’ve always liked Macon and thought the commute wouldn’t be bad,” she said. “We heard about efforts to bring more businesses to the area.”

The shop is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Retail industry encouraged by sales

Retail sales in Georgia overall increased 4 percent to 5 percent during the past 12 months compared to the previous 12 months, McAllister said.

“I think it’s a positive sign,” he said. “Retail has such a pervasive impact on a lot of different industries and real estate and developers certainly need the help. It’s going to take a little while longer for commercial real estate to really recover.”

Nationally, the trend also is moving upward, as March retail sales show confident but cautious consumers, according to a National Retail Federation news release.

Retail industry sales (which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) for March increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from February and 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the release stated.

But, as in many other industries, fuel prices will affect future sales.

“If gasoline prices can stabilize over the next few months, consumer spending may continue to grow,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in the release. “But it remains to be seen what consumers will cut out of their budgets because of the cost of filling up their tank.”

McAllister agrees that fuel prices is an issue other retailers will have to deal with.

“Every dollar that goes to gas comes from a retailer,” he said.

McAllister hopes the upward trend as of late continues.

“What we need them to do is start hiring. Hiring always trails recovery,” he said. “What we learn from recessions ... this, too, shall pass. So make the most of what you can, be competitive, be creative and consumers will respond to that.”

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.

This story was originally published May 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New stores come to midstate, including White House/Black Market."