Invest In Our Economy September 2019 | Page 3

Rent the Runway Opens Its Largest Fulfillment Center Rent the Runway, the company that is upending the way the world thinks about ownership through apparel rental, has opened the country’s largest dry cleaner and its largest distribution center in Arlington. The company, which launched in 2009, offers two different subscription services, RTR Unlimited and RTR Update, as well as an a la carte rental option, RTR Reserve. Designers such as Marni, Nina Ricci, Prabal Gurung, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Veronica Beard, as well as children’s apparel and furniture soft goods from West Elm, are all shipped to and from the newest Rent the Runway distribution center right here in Arlington. The over 300,000-square- foot fulfillment facility on Bardin Road, which has already started serving Rent the Runway members from across the country, officially celebrated its new home in The American Dream City with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July. Rent the Runway’s Arlington fulfillment center is the company’s second in the country, which is expected to bring 500 jobs to Arlington this year and even more jobs over the next several years. The company was attracted by North Texas’ strong workforce and convenient central location, which will allow it to best serve its customers in the South and West Coast regions, said Chief Supply Officer Marv Cunningham. “One of the amazing things about Texas is not only the people but their amazing ownership and work ethic. So, when we looked for a place where we could put up roots and grow in a community and allow our team members to grow with us, Texas was the perfect place to do that,” Cunningham said. “And then the wonderful City of Arlington has been super gracious and allowed us the opportunity to come in and we are so excited to continue and grow that relationship.” on fire,” Williams said. “We are looking forward to great things happening here with Rent the Runaway.” RTR Unlimited is a monthly subscription service that allows members to rent four or more items at a time on constant rotation, selecting from 600-plus designer brands for $159 per month. RTR Update is a $89 monthly subscription and includes four pieces delivered once a month from more than 450 top brands. RTR Reserve offers 4-day and 8-day rentals, with prices varying depending on the individual item. Dry cleaning, shipping and insurance is included in After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor every rental. Jeff Williams toured the bustling south “We have an amazing inventory. We Arlington facility and met with some of have amazing designers, and we have an the company’s hundreds of employees. incredible system where once you place The company is actively hiring for management and operations roles as well your order, I can deliver it to you within two days,” Cunningham said. “Regardless as line staff and skilled garment repair specialists and dry cleaning professionals. of who you are or where you live, you can wear any designer than anybody in New “I get very excited when we talk about York and L.A. has access to. You now have job creation. This a great industry, a new access because we have a virtual closet industry that is really setting the country for each and every woman.” Arlington Attends SelectUSA Summit SelectUSA is a division of the US Department of Commerce that promotes foreign investment into the country. In June, Staff attended the SelectUSA Summit outside of Washington D.C. The Summit is SelectUSA’s largest annual event and is the premier foreign direct investment conference in the United States. Each year it attracts senior government officials, and C-Suite business executives from around the world who want to learn more about investing and doing business in the U.S. The 2019 Summit brought 1,200 business investors from 79 international markets together with economic developers from 49 states and territories. It included speakers like U.S. Commerce Secretary, Wilbur L. Ross; United States Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin; Director of the United States National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow; and Ivanka Trump. This is the fourth consecutive year that Arlington’s Office of Economic Development (OED) has exhibited at SelectUSA. Staff made many excellent connections with companies, several of which have visited the City since the event. The OED feels that SelectUSA is one of the most worthwhile events in which it takes part, and looks forward to seeing what comes out of the relationships it established this year.