L.L. Bean goes L.L. Green

For over 90 years, Outdoor Lifestyle retailer L.L. Bean has offered apparel and accessories marketed toward those with an appreciation for nature. In an effort to maintain their relationship with their eco-savvy clientele, they have opted to transform their retail spaces into educational environments by sharing their initiatives in creating a sustainable atmosphere in addition to their green business structure. The first store to undergo this transformation was their Mansfield, Massachusetts location with a design by Bergmyer Associates of Boston. This 30,000 square-foot space is part of USGBC’s LEED for Retail-CI pilot program, which today is still going through many revisions because of the unique needs of retail spaces. A rising concern with renovations, regardless of whether or not sustainable materials are being utilized, is the amount of waste produced by demolition of old interiors. L.L. Bean saw to it that as much of their renovation bi-products were recycled as possible. The end result: only about 25% of their debris ended up in landfills. Their commitment to preserve the outdoors inspired them to take advantage of using reclaimed wood for fixtures and wall panels to maintain a natural feel throughout the store.

From the ceiling to the floor, this space contains technologically advanced and sustainable elements. Light sensitive fixtures work with motion and daylight so that the energy is only utilized when an area is occupied. Additionally, flooring is made of recycled content and rubber. Low VOC adhesives were used throughout the space. Though L.L. Bean has 6 registered LEED retail stores, this is their first to earn a Silver award. 

Dunkin’ Donuts Soon to Run on LEED?

Dunkin Donuts has just announced completion of its first LEED certified store in the country. Dunkin’ Donuts broke ground on the St. Petersburg, FL store in May and celebrated the grand opening on October 17. Dunkin’ hopes to use the store as an example for future building endeavors, and will hopefully have a positive influence on the way they do business in the future.

The new store is built with numerous LEED enhancements including: energy-efficient insulated walls to reduce air-conditioning needs by 40%, energy-efficient lighting, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, low-flow toilets, and the usage of well water rather than potable water for irrigation. Along with the energy efficient building, Dunkin’ Donuts launched recycling initiatives, green cleaning programs, and they are now supplying local food banks with excess goods.

The Massachusetts-based business was founded in 1950 and has since become the number one retailer of coffee in America. With over 7,900 stores world-wide, the grand opening of the St. Petersburg store is just a drop in the proverbial coffee cup. Let’s hope that the successful opening of this unconventional pilot store will inspire Dunkin’ Donuts to apply the same thinking and environmental enthusiasm to other locations they operate.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Nau We’re Talking!

For anyone who missed it, Nau (the cutting-edge, amazing eco-friendly clothing brand) who closed their doors this May, have announced they will re-open this October. Their new line will release for the fall and holiday season, incorporating the same design philosophy of balancing beauty, performance, and sustainability. The re-opening of Nau is being taken on by a group of former Nau employees, and they’ve found a partner to purchase the bulk of the company’s assets. The partner company, called Horny Toad, is a successful Santa Barbara-based lifestyle apparel business. Nau will continue to source materials and produce garments in the most environmentally possible ways, while adhering to their high factory standards and practices. Clothing will still be available for purchase on nau.com, however they will not be operating their own retail stores (at least not yet) upon this re-launch. To quote their site, “we’re coming back. Smaller and a little wiser, our ambitions tempered a bit by the experience, but our passions most definitely intact.”

To learn more about Nau and their re-launch, visit their blog - The Thought Kitchen.