SERVICE BOOST: Nordstrom Local, the service-only format of Nordstrom Inc., will open Thursday in San Francisco, at 1919 Fillmore Street.
The 1,750-square-foot site is the seventh Nordstrom Local location, and the first in northern California.
Nordstrom Local units are designed as “neighborhood service hubs,” providing greater convenience for shoppers. They are not merchandised with products for shopping and are situated where customers live or work. Often, the locations are easier and quicker to get to than Nordstrom department stores or Nordstrom Rack stores.
“We’ve heard from our customers in the area that they want services such as online order pickup, returns and alterations closer to where they live and work,” said Fanya Chandler, president of Nordstrom stores, in a statement Monday. “We hope our new Nordstrom Local will make accessing these services easier and look forward to serving customers at this location.”
At Nordstrom Local Fillmore, customers can pick up online orders purchased on nordstrom.com and nordstromrack.com, process returns, receive alterations on purchases from Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack and other retailers, receive fashion advice from stylists by appointment, receive gift wrapping and bring in empty beauty packaging to be recycled. Customers can also donate new and gently used clothing and shoes, which will be sent to the St. Anthony Foundation, where they’ll be distributed to individuals and families in need.
In addition, validated parking will be available to Nordstrom Local Fillmore customers at the Japan Center Annex Garage at 1650 Fillmore Street, and there will be a rotating gallery of artwork by San Francisco-based artists available for purchase.
It remains to be seen whether Nordstrom, which officially went private in May and is legendary for providing high levels of service, will become more aggressive in rolling out Nordstrom Local units. Nordstrom Local launched in 2017 in the L.A. market. There are three Nordstrom Locals in New York City, on Third Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets, on Seventh Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets, and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The other three Nordstrom Locals are in California, in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and Newport Beach.
The Nordstrom Local opening marks somewhat of a return by Nordstrom to San Francisco, where two years ago it closed its department store and Nordstrom Rack doors.