The project was a collaborative effort with my client at the corporation that owned HSM at that time. He would busy be on other projects and traveling. Once we devised the concept / design together, I was on my own.
The factory was built around 1971 and is actually two facilities - manufacturing and distribution. Each with their own employees, facilities and entrances. The store would have to function within a situation where distribution employees would need to pass through the store to enter the distribution / loading dock area and offices by 7:00 AM. The store, however would not open until 10:00 AM. A movable fence for the merchandise area of the store was the solution for the distribution employees. They would enter from the main outside entrance, then a vestibule, then pass by the cash / wrap area to an inner door. The offices, which previously were behind a mullion surround glass wall / door would be back painted the HSM blue color with a logo for privacy and store aesthetic purposes.
A contracting company was hired and the inevitable process of acquiring the proper village permits was begun. This was not in the city of Chicago, but the near suburb of Des Plaines. Anything involving exterior signage - in this case two - was a whole separate process.
ADA requirements was another prevalent matter. Parking was a concern, there was only space for four to five cars in front (employees parked in a lot behind the facility) there would need to be two handicap spaces as well as a partial curb cut. As well, the distribution employees needed a place to go outside for a cigarette break - notice the cigarette disposal device to the left of the entrance.
A floor plan was created and a fixture purchase list put in place - very simple, affordable, utilitarian and sourced locally.
The contracting / construction company was the same as used by the parent corporation for their exhibit designs at trade shows who were also experienced in retail construction. This made for a good fit as we were already very well acquainted. A simple retro inspired vinyl floor tile was chosen to "punch" the store up a bit. We were also in luck with an existing design element. The wall of "portholes" was an interesting feature as well as letting in natural light without losing precious wall space for hang rail.
In the end, it took five months to navigate the village of Des Plaines code requirements as well as corporation conflicts, concerns, union intervention and territorial issues from within the factory / distribution staff before the store opened - under budget by $11K.
The store was open for a little over a year. The parent corporation went into bankruptcy in the beginning months of the financial crisis, lost their downtown Chicago headquarters, moved some offices to a facility nearby and others to this facility. The store then became the company's Custom Shop and more recently turned into office cubicles.
