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Lowering the (Famous-) Barr

May building smaller prototype in Missouri lifestyle center

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The May Department Stores Co. (St. Louis) began construction of a new, smaller-scale Famous-Barr store in Columbia, Mo., at the site of the former Biscayne Mall.

A May spokesperson said the new store would be one of its “cutting-edge design” prototypes.

With about 140,000 square feet on two floors, the store will be significantly smaller than other May department stores (which typically range from 180,000 to 200,000 square feet). Among other things, this store won't carry furniture

May said the new stores are a way for the company to expand into smaller “lifestyle” shopping centers instead of more typical, large-scale regional shopping centers. Lifestyle centers typically boast more convenient parking, more elaborate landscaping and higher-end retailers than traditional malls.

May has built similar prototypes under its Filene's, Hecht's and Robinson's May nameplates in Greensboro, N.C., Leominster, Mass., and Irvine, Calif., respectively. The stores were described as having a “contemporary design with flexible merchandise presentations.”

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The Famous-Barr store has an estimated completion date of Nov. 5, 2003, occupying the spot formerly occupied by a Michael's arts and crafts store. The development was granted a variance to place signage with more square feet than allowed by Columbia city code, so the sign could be clearly seen by passing traffic. The five-foot-tall letters on the sign, which simply says Famous-Barr, will appear black during the day and white at night. The illuminated signs will be located on two sides of the building.

Once developed, the site will be renamed Biscayne Commons.

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