Massive makeover for KY Value City store

By Andrea Lillo -- Home Textiles Today, 6/2/2003 12:00:00 AM

COLUMBUS —

If the positive results continue, a newly expanded and updated store may become the standard moving forward for Value City Department Stores.

Wider aisles, along with new fixtures, carpets and lighting, are but a few of the changes incorporated into the chain's Covington, KY, unit, which also grew from about 60,000 square feet to almost 100,000 square feet of selling space.

"The changes were pretty massive," said John Willey, svp, store operations. "This is the only store in the chain like this."

This location was chosen since the company has been there for 30 years and has an established customer base, he said. It's also close to its corporate offices. The company did a similar renovation last year to its store in Louisville.

Early results are "well above expectations," Willey added, and "that will dictate what will happen going forward."

The home area is "slightly larger" than the previous space, relative to the expanded store. The new fixturing now includes wool paneling and polished metal shelving. "It's much more appealing to the eye," he added.