Mervyns Opens First Stores Since '04

Hayward, Calif. — Last week, Mervyns opened 4 new stores, one each in San Jose and National City, Calif.; Gilbert, Ariz., and Brownsville, Texas.

Vanessa Castagna, executive chairwoman of the board of the 189-unit mid-tier department store operator, said the new units “reflect our commitment to expand in our core markets.”

These are the first new stores since Mervyns became a private company in 2004; the units also represent the prototype for renovations of existing locations. Design features include new display fixtures and directional signs, wider aisles and brighter, energy-efficient lighting, centrally-located customer service centers and registers, and family restrooms and fitting rooms that accommodate strollers.