Enhancing the Cross-Category Shopping Experience at AmericasMart

The 60-year-old campus is getting more than a facelift – a thoughtful reorganization is underway.

{Sponsored} A New Lifestyle Destination Takes Shape

On January 22, less than 24 hours after the close of Atlanta Market, big things started happening on Floor 11 of Building 2 at the AmericasMart campus. Bubble wrap, boxes and pallets moved in and merchandise was methodically packed up — not bound for another show, but rather as part of something bigger … Atlanta NEXT.

Beginning with the Summer 2020 Atlanta Market, industry leaders Appelman Schauben and Ivystone will anchor a new lifestyle collection as they together present more than 75 of the industry’s leading lifestyle brands in 75,000+ square feet of space in Building 2, Floor 11. The layout and design of the new floor presents a fresh aesthetic in Atlanta Market’s gift offerings. Open showroom layouts — without doors or windows — allow buyers to seamlessly explore the brands.

“Appelman Schauben is honored to be one of two selected cornerstone agencies to kick off Atlanta NEXT in Building 2,” said Louise Appelman, principal and president of Appelman Schauben. “Our company and amazing vendors are proud to partner in creating an elevated shopping experience and the ultimate destination floor. The best is yet to come!”

“Ivystone and our vendors are proud to be on the leading edge of the changes taking place at AmericasMart,” said Doug Cofiell, Ivystone CEO. “It’s exciting to once again partner with IMC to create an amazing experience for our customers. By joining together, Appleman Schauben and Ivystone will make the 11th floor THE destination in Atlanta.”

The relocation of these two representative groups jumpstarts a reorganization of the Building 2 gift resources resulting in a new foundational gift, garden, seasonal and accessory floor on Building 2, Floor 18; the relocation of top accessory brands Diamond Star Corporation, IMAX and Sagebrook Home to Building 1; and significant expansions by industry leaders including GiftCraft, Magenta, OneCoast and TAG.

In total, the gift collection at AmericasMart encompasses 700 showrooms on 18 floors in Buildings 1 and 2. Its 4,000 brands include general gift merchandise plus seasonal, tabletop, housewares, gourmet, juvenile, fashion accessories, outdoor living and more.

Progress on Campus-Wide Physical Updates

Back over in the lobby of Building 1, major construction began at the end of January. Workers dismantled the registration area on the Portman Boulevard side of the building in preparation for an overhaul that includes raising the floor height to eliminate the need for stairs and a wheelchair lift. Meanwhile, the bones of a new restaurant are currently taking shape closer to the Peachtree Street entrance.

“We are at the point in the Atlanta NEXT project where IMC’s vision for the future look of AmericasMart is starting to take shape,” said Greg Avitabile, executive vice president, operations. “Completion of behind-the-scenes work allows us to move forward with the updates to the public areas of the lobby. Attendees will see the making of these updates in July, but they will not impede the market experience.”

Alternate entrances and temporary registration desks are in place during this phase of construction, with signage guiding buyers shopping between markets. Construction will pause for Summer Market and be complete in 2021. For a full list of Atlanta NEXT updates, visit AmericasMart.com/AtlantaNEXT.

To learn more about Summer Market and register to attend, visit AtlantaMarket.com.