Ballard Designs to Open New Store in Houston

September 25, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The affluent River Oaks shopping district is already home to many of the best known design shops and furniture stores in Houston, Texas. 

According to Dominic Milanese, senior director of retail for Ballard Designs, opening a new location in Houston was a natural next step in the omnichannel retailer's successful bricks-and-mortar expansion. "We've been serving Houston designers and homeowners for 35 years through our catalog, so we already have a large following here," Milanese explained. 

The new Houston store will be Ballard's 16th retail location since launching its national retail expansion in 2007, and will occupy the former GAP Store's 10,000 square foot location. Weingarten Realty, owner and operator of River Oaks Shopping Center, has invested heavily in the property over the past two years, including construction of a 30-story residential tower.

"Shopping is one of the top 10 things to do in Houston," Milanese continued. "And at Ballard, we have such a robust assortment, we expect people to love our upholstery and larger furniture pieces, but also to stop in for smaller accessories as well." 

Ballard Designs' new River Oaks location will be introduced to Houston shoppers on targeted soft opening days beginning in early 2021 with distancing protocols in place. "We want everyone to have a great experience – with safety in mind," Milanese said.