Nordstrom Rack readies for big Reno debut

Another retail giant makes its Reno debut this week.

The much-anticipated Nordstrom Rack opens Thursday in the 31,000-square-foot former Borders book store in Redfield Promenade off South Virginia Street and Kietzke Lane.

The company has spent the last few months hiring to staff the new business, the discount clothing and accessories little sister of the upscale Nordstrom department store.

“To open this new Rack store, we hired about 60 new people from the local community for full-time and part-time positions in sales, service experience, and stock positions,” said Naomi Tobis, Nordstrom’s spokeswoman. “As typical, we promote from within and have hired the store manager and department managers, who have come to Reno from positions across the company.

“We’re always looking for great people. Anyone interested in applying can visit our career site at careers.nordstrom.com.”

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price outlet for the Seattle-based high-end clothing retailer, selling brand products such as Kate Spade and Hugo Boss at a 30 to 70 percent discount.

The Rack stores are also a fast-growing piece of the company’s business.

In 2013, the company’s Rack shops and its online site accounted for 38 percent of total sales and are expected to grow to half of Nordstrom’s sales within five years.

The company opened its first Rack store in 1973 and had 48 locations 30 years later. The Reno location is the 170th Rack store and the company plans to add another 60 outlets by the end of 2016.

Shawn Smith, vice president of the Reno office of CBRE, was the real estate broker on the deal. The outdoor mall and retail space is owned by Kimco Realty Corp.

Smith said growth in Reno’s population and a rebound in the Meadowood commercial area persuaded the retailer the time was right to open a location in Reno.

“Nordstrom’s has been looking here for three or four years,” said Smith.

Smith said Redfield Promenade suited the company because of its proximity to the Highway 395 and its complementary co-tenants, which includes Bed Bath & Beyond and Cost Plus World Market. The store’s grand opening is March 26 starting at 8 a.m. The store hours are Monday- Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.