Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc. (Vitamin Shoppe) will open its new Eco Shoppe concept store in Austin, Texas on May 21, 2009. Eco Shoppe is expecting to receive LEED certification as the store has been designed to take advantage of an environmentally responsible vision. The fixtures have 42% recycled content. All composite wood products are FSC Certified with no added Urea-Formaldehyde. All glues and adhesives are low-VOC.
Rapidly renewable materials used in the store include Bamboo composite products and veneers, as well as solid Douglas fir lumber. There are no protective surfaces on the interior signage.
Eco Shoppe will also make most of their signs on specially made seeded paper. This seeded paper goes through a special manufacturing process where actual wildflower seeds are embedded into the paper. This special paper is 100% post-consumer recycled paper. The soy based ink printing is done in-store with an eco-friendly printer that doesn’t hurt the seeds.
Eco Shoppe is dedicated to bringing the best in green living products directly to consumers through exciting new stores. The store is owned and operated by Vitamin Shoppe. Vitamin Angels is a non-profit that reduces childhood mortality by connecting essential micronutrients with infants and children under five.
“Austin’s dedication to green living makes it a perfect choice for the very first Eco Shoppe,” said Steve Rolfes, director of Eco Shoppe stores. “With the introduction of Eco Shoppe, there will be one destination delivering products, services, and education for living a green life – all in one place.”
The Eco Shoppe store will be located at 10225 Research Boulevard Ste 900 in the Arboretum area in Austin, Texas. The store is 4,400 square feet. The official grand opening will be May 21, 2009 at 9:00 am.
As a part of the opening week, 10% of the sales will be donated to Earth Share of Texas. Earth Share of Texas, based in Austin, supports the work of 70 local, state, national and international environmental and conservation organizations through workplace giving programs across Texas.
The Eco Shoppe experience combines inspiration with information. Each Eco Shoppe merchandise category is designed to offer the functional, action-oriented approach to green living. Departments include apparel, home & garden, gifts, office, pets, kids & baby, yoga and conservation.
“Eco Shoppe has the most extensive collection of eco products anywhere by any retailer,” added Rolfes. We’re looking forward to opening the doors to the Austin community this week.”
Products in Eco Shoppe are purchased from fair trade and/or small independent eco friendly manufacturers as well as familiar leading eco brands like Klean Kanteen, Under the Canopy, Kassatex, Born Free, Bambu Home, Built, and Caldrea. Eco Shoppe will also feature local Austin vendors such as Olive Green Dog and Mod Green.
Eco Shoppe is utilizing many new materials including Ice Stone, Avonite and Alkemi solid surfaces for different areas in the store.
Once Eco Shoppe is done using the sign, it will be cut up and given out free to customers. Customers can then plant the paper and watch beautiful flowers grow. “It’s a great concept,” said Rolfes “and a terrific way to make good use of signs while helping plant more flowers.”
Vitamin Shoppe is a US-based specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products.