In aggressive expansion, 50,000-square-foot department store to open in Am. Fork on March 14
A year after Gordmans, Inc., a Nebraska-based apparel and home-décor retailer, had opened three stores in Utah, the company announced it would continue an aggressive expansion across the Beehive State, opening two new 50,000-square-foot stores on March 14, including one in American Fork.
The department store entered the Utah market in March 2012 in Farmington, Riverdale and South Jordan after it had already over 80 locations in 17 states.
At a time when there aren’t many growth stories in the retail industry, Gordmans’ expansion has bucked the trend, adding nine stores in 2012 alone. Gordmans plans to open eight stores outside of Utah in 2013, the company said.
Forbes magazine ranked Gordmans No. 29 on its 2012 list of America’s 100 best small-cap companies, citing that these companies are leading America’s economic comeback. The American Fork store located 219 North Meadow Lane is the latest sign of the relentless commercial growth at The Meadows.
The company said new merchandise will arrive daily at its American Fork store, offering a “big selection of the latest name brands, fashions and styles in apparel and home décor, everyday savings of up to 60 percent off department and specialty store prices.”
Founded in 1915 as a family-owned business, Dan Gordman helped pioneer the idea of the racetrack-shopping configuration, wanting to change the experience of navigating big-box stores. He also introduced centralized checkouts, shopping carts and self-service shoes through his retail chain. Gordmans today touts entertainment features including a children’s theatre called Gordmans Giggles and a sports-themed television viewing area called Gordmans Grandstand. The chain is currently under the helm of his grandson, CEO Jeff Gordman.
Gordmans’ pick of American Fork will likely benefit local schools: Since 2000, the company has supported Partners in Education and has contributed more than $1 million to public school systems in markets where the company has stores.
Daniel Crivello can be reached at crivello@citizen.af, via phone at 801-477-6397 or on Twitter.