Ala Moana Nordstrom gears up for March reopening

Nordstrom Inc. is preparing to open its new store in Ala Moana Center’s redeveloped Ewa wing on Piikoi Street on March 11.

The department store chain is relocating its 211,000-square-foot, full-line store at the opposite end of the mall to a new three-level, 186,000-square-foot space next to the state’s first Bloomingdale’s, which opened in November.

Nordstrom executives held a media briefing Tuesday, announcing new amenities that include a Habitant lounge and Ruscello restaurant. The store will also have free Wi-Fi, a gelato bar, personal stylists and an Anastasia Brow Studio, for eyebrow shaping.

While the company is “happy with the business” in the current location, it couldn’t pass up the chance to be a part of the expanded Ewa wing, said Nordstrom spokeswoman Pamela Lopez.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to offer the latest design concepts so that we can remain fresh and relevant,” she said. “We’re designing our newest stores in the fleet with a lot more light, which means more windows. It’s always better to start with a brand-new store, given that opportunity.”

The existing Nordstrom will remain open until the store relocates as part of Ala Moana’s $572 million redevelopment project, which includes additional mall space, underground parking, two anchor stores and a residential condominium project.

Mall owner General Growth Properties Inc. expects to spend $85 million to relocate Nordstrom to the Ewa wing, according to a regulatory filing last year with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A Nordstrom spokeswoman wouldn’t disclose how much the retailer is investing in the new store.

The new store will employ 600 workers and is hiring now. The current store has 355 full- and part-time employees, who will all be transferred to the new location.

Nordstrom opened in Honolulu nearly 48 years ago, leasing space and running the shoe departments in Liberty House stores.

“We have eight employees who have been with us for more than 25 years, two of which have been with us for 40 years,” said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom, in a news release. “We’re excited to bring these folks, along with the rest of the Nordstrom Ala Moana team.”

Nordstrom opened its current store at Ala Moana in March 2008. The company relocated its Rack location at Ward Villages Shops in November 2013. Founded by John W. Nordstrom in Seattle in 1901, the retailer operates 121 full-line stores and 194 Nordstrom Rack outlets in 39 states and Canada.

“Nordstrom’s relocation at Ala Moana Center is part of our ongoing strategy to continuously evolve as a world-class shopping destination,” said Sandeep Mathrani, General Growth’s chief executive officer.