AF Bank Changes Name, Look, Updates Philosophy

The redesigned lobby in the LifeStore Bank’s 1675 Blowing Rock Road location in Boone features teller pods, which replace traditional teller lines. The physical changes come as part of the more customer-based philosophy the former AF Bank is currently implementing in its branches. Photo by Ken Ketchie The large brick building located at 1675 Blowing Rock Road in Boone, formerly AF Bank, is now the prototype for the financial institution’s forward-thinking, changed look and feel. The most noticeable change from a motorists’ perspective is the new, prominent orange “LifeStore” sign.The LifeStore name was chosen to replace AF Bank to reflect the business’ desire to meet the financial needs of customers throughout their lives. Representatives from the bank, consulting groups and research companies chose the new “mango and pewter” color scheme for LifeStore.  Click here for full story 
Story by Corinne Saunders  (General Contractor, Retail Construction Services, Inc. and AF Bank)

Slow and steady keeps General Contractor, Retail Construction Services, Inc. in the race

by Scott Carlson Staff Writer

www.rcsgivinggarden.blogspot.com  A native of St. Paul’s East Side, Stephen Bachman started Retail Construction Services after working as manager of construction for the old Berman Buckskin in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz)

Retail Construction Services is marking a milestone that should give it cause for celebration.  The Lake Elmo-based general contractor, which specializes in retail development, is observing its silver anniversary this year. During that 25-year span, Retail Construction Services has generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue from building some 8,000 projects totaling 22 million square feet in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.   

These days, the national recession is casting a long shadow over RCS’s accomplishments. Still, the low-key RCS is continuing to take steps to broaden its business as it weathers the recession and expects to be around for the long haul…

Click Here to read the entire article.

National General Contractor Celebrating its 25^th Anniversary
ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Retail Construction Services (RCS), a leading and award winning national general contractor, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year. Founded in 1984, RCS has built over 8,000 projects in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada representing over $1.1 Billion in company revenue.“When we first started in 1984 there were just two of us and we said let’s just do the right thing and we should be fine” said company Founder and President, Steve Bachman. Twenty-five years later, RCS now has offices in Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, and South Dakota and employs over 120 people; including 13 Project Managers and over 60 salaried Field Superintendents located strategically throughout the country. “One of our many strengths is the ability to complete a project anywhere in North America for our clients” says Bachman. “We maintain the appropriate licenses in all 50 states and since we work in all major markets around the country every year, many times over, we are not considered an out of town contractor. We think that’s important for our clients and there aren’t many other companies out there that can say that.”Click here for the original press release

Last year, Landmark Land Company, Inc., managing partner of Lake Presidential Golf Club, hired the Architectural Design Group, of Alexandria, Va., to design a grand 10,000 square-foot clubhouse and 5,000 square-foot golf cart barn to support the golf course, which were subsequently built by General Contractor, Retail Construction Services of Lake Elmo, MN, which specilaizes in golf clubhouse construction. When reviewing potential roofing materials for the project, the design team was aiming for a slate-style look that could easily be achieved with a premium architectural shingle. They decided to use CertainTeed(R) Grand Manor(R) luxury shingles in Black Pearl for the roof of each building…Full the full story click here

Retail Construction Services (RCS), a leading national general contractor that focuses on retail construction, recently completed their 75^th project in Las Vegas, NV, a Lids store a the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. In the last week, RCS was also awarded contracts to build two new Levi stores in Las Vegas, NV. Construction on both Levi stores is expected to begin towards the end of July.

H&M coming to Southdale

Retail Construction Services (RCS) has recently commenced construction on two H&M stores; one in Orlando, FL and the other in Edina, MN. These will be the ninth and tenth stores RCS has built for H&M respectively. RCS looks forward to continuing our successful relationship with H&M and helping them grow throughout North America.              
Below is an article from today’s Mpls/St Paul Business Journal regarding the new H&M location at the Southdale mall in Edina, MN. Click here for the link to the original article.  Monday, June 29, 2009, 4:53pm CDT       

Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - by Chris Newmarker Staff Writer  The hip, Swedish clothing chain H&M will open its third Twin Cities store in Edina’s Southdale Center.Southdale owner Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SPG) said Monday that a 20,000-square-foot H&M store will open there this fall.“We’re thrilled that H&M is coming to Southdale and their arrival will certainly enhance our merchandise mix,” said Anne-Marie Cookson, director of marketing and business development at Southdale.Simon isn’t disclosing the financial terms of the deal.H&M sells fashion-plate clothing at low prices, aiming at younger customers and teaming with designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Jimmy Choo (who will introduce a shoe line at H&M in November).The approach has enabled it to weather the recession fairly well. Its second-quarter profit was $531 million, up 6 percent from the year-ago period.H&M already has two Twin Cities stores, one in Woodbury and one at the Mall of America in Bloomington.The Southdale store will be a two-level location in the mall’s center court area.The bottom level used to be occupied by Crate & Barrel, which moved out of the mall last year, and the upper level was a Jacuzzi store that recently moved up to Southdale’s third floor.Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) was founded in Sweden in 1947, and now has about 1,800 stores in 34 countries.

June 3, 2009: Retail Construction Services (RCS) considers safety to be of the highest priority. As a result of our dedication to providing a safe work place for our employees and subcontractors, RCS was recently awarded two elite and prestigious safety awards by the National Safety Council and the Minnesota Safety Council.

Janet Froetscher, President & CEO of The National Safety Council, presented Retail Construction Services with the Million Work Hours Award for operating 2,037,255 employee hours without occupational injury or illness involving days away from work 9/28/1999 – 12/31/2008.

Minnesota Governor Tim Palenty and the Minnesota Saftey Council presented Retail Construction Services with the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of excellence in injury prevention performance in occupational safety for 2008

Retail Construction Services Partners With Luxury European Retailer To Open First Store In Chicago, USA

May 27, 2009, Lake Elmo, MN

Retail Construction Services (RCS), the nations leading Retail General Contractor, recently partnered with Washington D.C. based IK Retail Group and completed a new Piazza Sempione store in the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood on East Oak Street in Chicago, IL. This 2,000 square foot store is the third retail boutique in the U.S. and the sixth in the world for the upscale Milan retailer, which is owned by the private-equity arm of luxury goods company LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. In addition to building several other high end retail stores throughout North America for other high end luxury apparel clients, Retail Construction Services is proud to continue a tradition of partnering with European retailers entering the U.S. retail marketplace. 

About Retail Construction Services:
Since 1984, Retail Construction Services, the nations leading Retail General Contractor, has completed over 8000 projects throughout North America including, retail stores, restaurants, financial facilities and clubhouses. Retail Construction Services maintains and is actively licensed in al 50 States, Canada, USVI and Puerto Rico and has strong relationships with thousands of qualified and screened subcontractors throughout North America. The company averages 30-90 projects under construction at any one time, ranging from 3-60 weeks in duration and employs professional and highly experienced Project Managers and Field Superintendents located strategically throughout the United States and North America.  For more information on Retail Construction Services’ capabilities, please visit www.retailconstruction.com. Phone: 651.704.9000, email: info@retailconstruction.com.

May 26, 2009 (Lake Elmo, MN)

Retail Construction Services (RCS), the nations leading Retail General Contractor, recently completed their first retail project in St John’s, Newfoundland, a remodel of an existing 5,000 square foot Eddie Bauer store at the Avalon Mall. Retail Construction Services has completed several other retail projects within Canada in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario; however, this latest project for Eddie Bauer marks the first time that Retail Construction Services has completed a project in the province of Newfoundland. Retail Construction Services has completed numerous other Eddie Bauer retail stores, but this is the first time the company has worked with Eddie Bauer outside the United States. 

ABOUT RETAIL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Since 1984, Retail Construction Services, the nations leading Retail General Contractor, has completed over 8000 projects throughout North America including, retail stores, restaurants, financial facilities and clubhouses. Retail Construction Services maintains and is actively licensed in al 50 States, Canada, USVI and Puerto Rico and has strong relationships with thousands of qualified and screened subcontractors throughout North America. The company averages 30-90 projects under construction at any one time, ranging from 3-60 weeks in duration and employs professional and highly experienced Project Managers and Field Superintendents located strategically throughout the United States and North America. For more information on Retail Construction Services’ capabilities, please visit www.retailconstruction.com. Phone: 651.704.9000, email: info@retailconstruction.com.

At Retail Construction Services we have made every effort to keep ahead of the ever changing demand in the commercial building market.  The last big change came with the wireless phenomenon.  Our superintendents were some of the first to have wireless cards and laptops. Today this is an industry standard, but we stayed ahead of the curve by issuing wireless cards to our superintendents before it was requested by our customers.   What is the next big change to affect our industry? 

Retail Construction Services is a member of the USGBC and in 2006 completed our first LEED Project.  More recently we have a LEED® AP Certified staff member in-house.  This value added service allows Retail Construction Services to stay at the forefront of green building techniques and offer that expertise to our clients.   How does having a LEED® AP in-house help the client and Retail Construction Services? 

The LEED accreditation program talks much about the team.  This team consists of the owner, architect, engineers, contractor and sub-contractor.  By having a LEED® AP in-house, we can better communicate the LEED requirements to the subs and to our superintendent.  The LEED process must include all personnel on site.  For example, the paints and chemicals used today can affect the air samples taken at the end of project.  In order to certify a LEED project several different submittals and calculations are need throughout the project.  Many of these items must come from the contractor.  The general contractor must also plan ahead so that waste can be diverted and recycled.  The general contractor must develop and implement an indoor air quality management plan. 

By having a LEED® AP in-house Retail Construction Services hopes to stay at the forefront of these issues and the commercial construction industry.  RCS shares a concern with our customers with regard to the impact of our work on our communities and environment. We believe that the construction of environmentally sound, healthy, durable green buildings offers one of the most significant solutions to the threats of global warming and resource depletion. To this end we continue to seek partners interested in advancing the technologies and practices that reduce our impact on the environment, while supporting sustainable communities and economies.