Nordstrom Reaches Out Retailer Seeks Businesses To Help Build New Store

businessman Representatives from Nordstrom were in Spokane Wednesday, looking for people to help build their new downtown store.

The Seattle-based retailer had a special message for women- and minority-owned contracting businesses: Please apply.

In 1989, Nordstrom started its Supplier Diversity Program, which recruits women- and minority-owned businesses to submit bids for work on the retailer’s stores. Nordstrom has spent more than $1.4 billion with women- and minority-owned businesses since the program began.

The open house Nordstrom held Wednesday at downtown Spokane’s DoubleTree Hotel was open to all Eastern Washington contractors interested in previewing plans for the new store. However, many women- and minority-owned businesses received special letters inviting them to submit bids.

By the end of the day, 34 businesses had visited the open house, short of Nordstrom’s goal of 50.

Construction on the new store, part of the $100 million redevelopment of River Park Square, will begin in April. The store is scheduled to open Aug. 20, 1999.

Mel Carter, who is African-American, said his Spokane heating and ventilating business has little trouble securing work in the public sector, which encourages minority-owned businesses to bid on contracts. For example, Carter said, his company has worked on campus buildings at both Washington State University and Western Washington University.

The private sector is different, Carter said.

“I don’t recall a minority-owned business ever working on a private project in Spokane,” said Carter, who’s been in business for 17 years. “That’s why I applaud Nordstrom for what they’re doing here.”

Judy Atkisson is hoping for some exposure for her one-woman Spokane Valley engraving business, Atkisson’s Engraving. She hopes to win a contract to create some of Nordstrom’s signs.

“It would certainly help spread the name of my company,” Atkisson said, after her meeting with Nordstrom’s project manager and general contractor.

Nordstrom is using Edifice Construction, a general contractor from Seattle, to build its store, but anticipates hiring up to 75 subcontractors.

“All things being equal, our priority is going to be the local companies,” said Paula Stanley, a spokesperson for Nordstrom.

Fran Wills, owner of Meidling Concrete, said her company would like to land a piece of the project. The company just completed structural work on part of Home Depot’s new North Side store.

“We always like to get in with companies because when we do good jobs for them, we can get involved in other projects down the line,” Wills said.

Then she laughed, remembering all the money she’s spent at Nordstrom in recent years.

“I’ve already given them enough,” she said. “It’d be nice to get some of that back.”

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