TAKING SHAPE

Flagship store pulls out the stops for film festival

This year, the flagship store on Bloor Street is the main focus of Roots initiatives for the film festival. It may not be a movie set but at times over the past week it almost looked liked one. Amid a flurry of activity, Roots people worked against the clock to get everything ready in time – and succeeded.

On Wednesday evening, Pauline Landriault, Director of Visual Planning and Store Development, along with Peter Paquette, Senior Visual Merchandiser; James Wilford, Field Visual Merchant; and Carrie Pcora, Visual Consultant, did a number on the store. They transformed it, remerchandising the entire store to accommodate the two lounges set up on the second floor – the AOL on the north end and the eTalk Hello! clubhouse on the south end. The visual team installed large graphic murals for the lounges and also prepared the large backdrop on the outside window on Bellair Street behind the stage for yesterday’s nationally televised Barenaked Ladies concert.

Joining them late into Tuesday evening were Store Manager Brenda Preston and Assistant Manager Mark Chatarpal, along with several other store employees who kindly stayed late to help with the preparations.

The visual team also customized the large store windows for the festival featuring Roots leather bags and jackets, and lifestyle clothing. Adding to the look of the interior of store are numerous graphics and 85 black and white movie celebrity portraits by George Pimentel exhibited on both floors (See The Source cover story, Issue 53).

Howard Pollack, Director of Purchasing and Facilities, showed his real colours, helping in countless ways with the installation of large murals and with various technical and electrical issues in the hours before and during the Barenaked Ladies concert.

On the public relations front, Raymond Perkins and Anisha Gliddon have an intense week ahead as they help coordinate the various special events at the store they’ve been busy organizing over the past month or two.

With the Film Festival now underway, it’s going to be an exciting time to be at Roots 100 Bloor Street. Roll the film!