The following was submitted by april, senior merchandising manager, catalog
What better place to be than a city that’s been celebrating Mardi Gras–and their amazing Super Bowl win–for the past few weeks? The spirit here in New Orleans is incredible–there’s an electricity in the air!
Thirsty? First stop is the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone. Immortalized in the writings of Ernest Hemingway, the revolving Carousel Bar is a part of New Orleans history. It has a wild circus motif and is often filled with colorful local characters telling their stories.
Hungry? The raw bar at John Besh’s brasserie Luke in the central business district is the best in the city. The casual dining room and delicious flavors of fresh local fish and meats will definitely require a return trip.
Nightcap? No trip to New Orleans would be proper without a Sazerac cocktail. I tested many of these around the city and these two serve the best versions.
Named after what many consider to be the world’s first mixed drink, The Sazerac Bar carries with it as much history and lore as its potable namesake. Just gazing at the famous Paul Ninas murals that flank the long African walnut bar takes you back to the grandeur of old New Orleans. A time when Huey P. Long might stroll in, order a Ramos Gin Fizz, and spend the next few hours talking to his constituents.
The Hermes Bar at Antoine’s also has a wonderful history. Since 1840, world-renowned Antoine’s Restaurant has set the standard that made New Orleans one of the greatest dining centers of the world. Can you believe that this place has been in the same family for three generations and that they were only closed for four months after Hurricane Katrina?
Sleepy? I want to stay up all night so I don’t miss a thing–and this is definitely the place to do it. But too much of a good thing is not so good.
I check in to the Loft 523 hotel, which is only two blocks from the French Quarter (and much quieter). The rooms would make a perfect location for CB2 catalog photoshoots…minimal, warm, and inviting.
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Special thanks to todd, store designer in los angeles, who contributed the following words and photos.
We began this concept of counter culture windows as a simple collection of high dining tables and barstools accented by spray paint poetry written on a back-drop of fabric and mirrors.
The patterns–with a clashing florescent paint color–added kind of that apocalyptic or anti-establishment or “counter culture” look we thought would be eye-catching.
After executing the first two windows the third one was becoming trickier. It was hard to see any detail in the barstools because their seats were at eye level and they all looked like a bunch or metal legs.
Then I decided in order to show some of the seat top detail I should just angle and stack them into that sort of installation jumble that YES has been done before. Although, with the spray paint this window kinda just turned into this a hotel room that a punk rocker has trashed–with the fabric working as tacky wallpaper.
Man do we Love LA!
“in order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”
-Coco Chanel
“my fault, my failure is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them”
-Jack Kerouac
“I love Los Angeles,
I love Hollywood,
Everybody is plastic, but I love plastic
I want to be plastic”
-Andy Warhol
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It all started with a little buzz on January 15th 2000 when we opened the first CB2 store in a quiet neighborhood on the northside of Chicago.
Honestly, none of us knew what the heck we were doing–which probably made it easier than knowing the challenges we’d face as we grew. But on January 22nd, it ended with a little bash as we partied there for the last time. Word got out to previous team members who came to reminisce.
And for happily married couple Sandy and Joaquin,
it was a chance to celebrate the moment where they met 10 years ago.
We congratulate everyone for their heroic efforts to get CB2 off the ground. To everyone who helped us test and experiment in our “lab”, without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to seeing you at our other locations!
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Most of us south of the border have never been but from the blogs and tweets we’ve read, boy did we miss out.
This past weekend, after more than 20 years of supporting Toronto’s goth, alternative, techno and heavy metal fans and local musicians with all-age shows, final acts performed then closed the legendary Big Bop.
photo courtesy of Aaron Miller, CityNews.ca
Soon, work will begin to renovate the building in preparation for its next life, our first store in Canada.
We look forward to being part of the local fabric and we’re honoured to have the Big Bop stage. We sincerely acknowledge its youthful energy and spirit and we’ll do our best to carry it on.
Stay tuned for construction status and the opening date!
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Hola Miami!
We’re extremely proud to announce the opening of our 7th store earlier today.
Do you know how many people it takes to open a CB2 store that was built from the ground up? Neither do we–exactly–but we have a pretty good idea.
It takes many hands and a lot of passion. It starts with the architects and construction crew. Inventory control, floor stockers and sales associates not only unload the trucks, they unpack the merchandise and display it. Buyers and store designers make everything look good from product to display details. And finally a PR team gets the word out so we can greet our first and last customer–and everyone in between.
Welcome–we’re thrilled to see you!
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Posted in scoop, tagged about us, CB2 on January 13.2010 | 2 Comments »
We’re very excited to announce that cb2.com has a new look–and new functions! Here’s a quick summary which we hope make for an easier, faster and more enjoyable online experience.
- better imagery gets you closer to the details
- more room view photography for added inspiration
- favorites can now be saved for later reference
- save time with express checkout
- a visual shopping cart (at the bottom of the screen) shows all items selected
- see estimated delivery charges and a running total–all before check-out
- move items between your favorites, gift registry and shopping cart
- register gift cards and check balances
- easier order tracking
- a new “stores and events” section includes maps and directions–via public transportation or your own wheels
- the CB2 mobile website has also been updated–and optimized for smaller mobile screens.
It takes a lot of passion and countless hours to revamp our biggest “store”. Special thanks to everyone who contributed especially in direct marketing, MIS web development, graphics, and web merchandising.
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