The Voice - June 20, 2001
The Shelbyville Road Plaza is shaping up; two more new stores are set to open this week.
Circuit City, which has been located at 143 Thierman Lane for the past 15 years, will open in the plaza Thursday, June 21.
“It will be totally different than what anybody in Louisville has ever seen,” said store manager Steve Kanotz. The new store, which offers much more space at 34,000 square feet, will have many interactive displays and the latest technology products, Kanotz said. It also features expanded selections of games, computer software, movies and music.
University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino will be on hand at the grand opening, signing basketballs at 6 p.m. The basketballs will be sold for $50 each, with proceeds benefiting the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Louisville.
Circuit City’s new store can display up to 19 big-screen TVs and features a digital TV display demonstrating its vivid picture quality. A digital video recording wall showcases DVD players, DIRCTV, video Internet access and personal video recorders, which allow consumers to record TV programs on a hard drive and pause live programming in progress.
The store’s “speaker room,” which allows shoppers to experience different audio systems, has been upgraded to include customer interactivity. Its imaging department has a large selection of analog and digital camcorders and 35mm and digital cameras. The store also showcases wireless communications, Internet and personal computer products.
The store also sells CDs, DVDs and video game hardware and software as well as portable audio products, telephones and answering machines. Linens ’n Things also will open in the shopping center this week, on Friday, June 22. Linens ’n Things is a national retail chain specializing in housewares, textiles and decorating accessories.
The 35,000-square-foot store features more than 30,000 items, including bedding, towels, and cookware and window coverings. Brand names the store carries include
Wamsutta, Laura Ashley, Royal Velvet, Braun and Cuisinart. Items are priced below regular department store prices and at or below department store sale prices.
Linens ’n Things has trained department specialists with product knowledge and decorating ideas. The store also features product information displays and videos, self-demonstrations and in-store product seminars. Its national gift registry offers convenient in-store and online shopping for weddings, showers and graduations.
Hagan Seay Properties is developing Shelbyville Road Plaza, which is undergoing a $30 million renovation and expansion.
Hawley-Cooke Booksellers opened its new 27,000-square-foot store June 1, featuring a larger stock of books and periodicals, a music store and unique gifts. Coconuts record store (formerly Disc Jockey) reopened in May after one of its walls collapsed in December. Wild Oats grocery store should be added by September.