Standout Store Design

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That adage holds for retail spaces. Customers visiting for the first time might not notice all the details that go into a standout store design, but they pick up on the vibes that someone spent time and effort making the space exceptional. HBW Construction specializes in creative retail concepts.

When you visit a shop, what do you notice first? Is it the signage outside? The lighting inside? The display shelves? As contractors, when we’re out shopping, we’re drawn to details like countertops or specialty materials like wood flooring or wallpaper. As we look around, we might check out the ceiling panels or note how the doorway is sealed. These things might not change your experience in the store, but they subconsciously contribute to how you feel about a space.

When HBW builds for a retail client, we’re not building a shell; we are going for that “wow” feeling. 

Projects that Stand Out

We have dozens of recent examples of retail construction work, yet two projects illustrate HBW construction excellence.

The first is Aldi, the newest grocery store in Gaithersburg, MD. 

This store was constructed in an older building that needed some repair. Nearly all of the infrastructure was redone to get the space ready, and the exterior facade needed to coordinate with the rest of the shopping center while enhancing retail visibility and following Aldi brand guidelines. Inside, we worked section by section, breaking the huge space into different areas and building to the very particular specs of the plan. Although Aldi stores share some of the same finishes and signage, every store’s layout and construction process differ. And it’s those differences where HBW’s experience shines.

For example, there are no light switches or thermostats in the store. Those systems are controlled remotely—an Aldi policy. We had crews install the lighting, HVAC, and systems for measuring and controlling conditions in the store. What was once an empty space became a state-of-the-art grocery store in just a few months.

Our Oak Barrel and Vine stores for Maryland ABS are a second standout retail example. 

The client, recognizing that they compete for sales with the many wineries, breweries, and distilleries in Maryland, wanted each location to look a little different and include a tasting room so visitors would have a unique experience at Oak Barrel and Vine.

The dynamic store space has added an exciting component to each build. For example, the store in Bethesda has folding glass doors that open accordion style, lots of high-end custom wood millwork, and a beautiful wine library. Another store featured old barrels as décor and custom cabinetry. These details required HBW to coordinate with skilled tradespeople and source unique materials to create an environment that would feel exciting to customers.

Transformations

The best part of our work is the retail space transformation. For stores going into existing buildings, our job begins with clearing out debris & discovering the conflicts these old buildings may throw at us. For new builds, we might start with a blank slate and bare concrete walls. Through each step of construction, we see the owner or architect’s vision coming to life.

Making significant changes through construction is the kind of fun that brings us to work each day. As project managers, we take ownership of our builds and put the effort in to ensure they don’t just get done but get done right. And it's not just us. There are dozens of construction workers, superintendents, and tradespeople all focused on the end result. We’ve created a collaborative environment where anyone can ask questions, provide feedback, or make suggestions. We build for our clients, but each project also reflects HBW.

Relationships and Retail

What makes an HBW retail construction different from stores built by others? Our relationships with our clients. 

We don't want to do one project for a client; we want to be their go-to contractor. Building relationships before we build retail means we understand what the client wants, and we share their vision and passion for the finished space. When you’re passionate about the project, you pay attention to the details and insist on the best quality. Ultimately, it’s an HBW difference-maker.

Many times, we deal directly with business owners for retail projects. These aren’t people with tons of construction experience, so they are looking to us to explain the process, schedule the work, and deliver a restaurant or a store ready for business. A strong relationship means they trust us when they have a new idea or want a change. They look to our team to determine how to make it work.

That’s also where having deep retail experience is essential. Because we have decades of retail construction experience, we know what to look for when reviewing drawings or during a walk-through. We know to ask the tough questions about coordination with landlords and retail vendors upfront to ensure we're all on the same page at the end. We're willing to take on issues for our clients to alleviate their stress, leveraging knowledge from previous jobs to make sure theirs goes smoothly. 

Built to be Different

One common misconception in retail construction is that it’s easy. We hear this about franchises especially. Our approach is never to assume that something will be easy. Building standout retail demands that we are focused and present on every job.

Take Visual Comfort stores, for example. We’ve built several for the lighting chain. You can walk into a Visual Comfort in Scottsdale, and it will feel like the one in DC, but the store didn’t come in a box; it had to be built. As the builder, we had to get the details just right so the stores have that similar look and feel.

From a project management standpoint, every standout store involves new elements—new fire alarm systems, new plumbing, new technology, new codes. As builders, we keep up with all that, plus new branding or client ideas, making each job unique. As construction nerds, it’s our job to sweat the small stuff—and at the end of the day, even though customers might not see the quality details and relationship-based approach with a first glance, we know they feel the effort.