This 15,000 sq ft experiential flagship merges RealTruck’s digital brand with an approachable tactile, lifestyle-driven store. The space functions as a hybrid gallery, retail, workshop, and community hub—celebrating truck customization through full-scale builds, modular product storytelling, and premium installation services.

From the entry, visitors are greeted by sweeping sightlines across the store, with hero vehicles immediately on display—anchoring the space with sculptural presence. These full-scale builds serve as the organizing principle of the store activating RealTruck’s motto “Bring Your Truck to Life”. Rather than allowing product categories to overwhelm, the architecture frames each vehicle as a curated story, allowing customers to understand accessories in context and imagine their own upgrades with clarity and confidence.

The store is intentionally spacious, with wide circulation paths that allow guests to orbit the hero vehicles. Product discovery zones line the perimeter in clearly defined alcoves—lighting, racks, bed protection, overlanding gear—each pairing physical products with integrated graphics and digital content/touchscreens. A key component of the design is the RealTruck Builder, a digital experience where customers can visualize their trucks/SUVs in 3D exploring countless combinations of accessories that are guaranteed to fit their vehicle. These digital touchpoints act as both educator and curator of customers own custom truck builds which can then be used to purchase accessories and reserve white-glove installation services.

Toward the rear, the iconic “R” brings focus to the consultation and installation zone extending the narrative from aspiration to action. Here, service becomes hospitality: warm materials, structured sightlines, and thoughtful adjacencies including a self-serve café area with seating transform what is typically a back-of-house function into a customer-centric experience.

The store design embraces industrial honesty—polished concrete floors, exposed black ceilings, and steel display structures—tempered with elevated design cues like warm vertical wood paneling, integrated digital storytelling, and dramatic geometric LED light canopies that activate each of the consumer lifestyles at each truck build.

The merchandising strategy follows that of a showroom where customers can select from a curated assortment on display or online and have the product ship to store for installation or to customers’ home. A small assortment of accessories including floor liners, seat cover, recovery accessories among others are also available on-demand at the store for immediate pick-up.

The result of it all…a store that is unmistakably rooted in the world of trucks yet elevated to the level of an experiential design gallery.

]]> https://www.rgla.com/portfolio/cosi-gift-shop/ Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:02:59 +0000 https://www.rgla.com/?post_type=portfolio&p=1135 The SSA Group called upon RGLA to design the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) Museum Gift Shop as part of an extensive museum renovation program to enhance the experience of its store. The criteria was twofold…to extend the immersive quality of the museum experience into the gift shop while also furthering COSI’s mission of inspiring curiosity and passion for science.

From window displays that captivate and invite guests to explore with curiosity to a food experience like no other within the museum, this shop has it all. By designing an exhibit-like retail experience with multi-sensory components, we were able to elevate the shopping experience and create one last memorable impression for guests at the museum.

A mix of low-tech and high-tech interactive elements help to ensure guests are treated to a variety of hands-on experiences alongside the product displays including the Mission Control, the Fossil Dig interactive sand boxes and the Jumbo T-Rex that roars.

The Mission Control section combines digital displays and screens to create interactive games, along with switches, dynamic lighting, analog buttons and knobs, all together create a diverse experience unique to this space-themed portion of the store. Kids can experience the feeling of ‘lift-off’ in their very own space mission.

The AR sandbox allows kids to dig and play while learning about dinosaurs and Earth’s inner core. Projected lights and sensors work off the varying sand depth to reflect the multiple layers of planet earth’s core. The 10′ tall Low Poly T-Rex sculpture serves as a backdrop to the fossil dig, providing themed photo-op moment for dinosaur fans. The Prehistoric Diorama Window Feature provides a focal into the space as well as a playful extension of the dinosaur exhibit directly across from the shop’s entrance. This serves as a complimentary framing for the Fossil Dig, as well as providing a unique perspective from both inside and outside the space.

One of the most significant design components is the addition of the Absolute Zero ice cream bar. This full-service, nitrogen ice cream outlet adds a sense of curiosity and enhances the store’s scientific theming. Randomly placed holographic tile at this ice cream bar creates a modern design to mimic the space theming, which helps give an otherworldly effect to the “outer space” portion of the store.

The unique blend of colors, graphics and finishes, from earth tones and cork representing the prehistoric dinosaurs to the dichroic and colorful materials, help make the space visually captivating yet balanced. The circular pattern on the floor following an orbital planetary model highlights and helps direct customers to the self-checkout zone in the center of the space.

Upon entry, you are immediately greeted with bold colors. The contrast between the exposed brick walls, along with the bright, eye-popping Maryland Zoo logo mural allow for a complimentary juxtaposition that engages customers and sets the mood. Custom fixturing, signage, and accessories were all designed and selected to complement the surrounding architecture in form, proportion and detailing. This attention to detail creates a cohesive experience and backdrop for the unique merchandising and product collections. Inspired as a subtle nod to Baltimore’s connection to the water and harbor, wood planking on the ceiling frames the focal points of the space above the cash wrap and digital wall. Ironwork details within the shop take inspiration from the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge, furthering the connection of the Baltimore harbor and water to the space. The integration of an interactive experience that combines physical and virtual elements serves to educate and engage guests. Children and adults can watch their drawing come to life on the big screen, making the shop a destination within the park, inspiring creativity while also increasing dwell time and interaction inside the shop. The introduction of “Pepper” the friendly robot, whose cutting-edge technology is built to connect with customers, further enhances the shopping experience assisting customers, and sharing conservation and product knowledge.

Sustainable choices were made as part of our design including the use of reclaimed wood, recycled metal scraps, reclaimed plaster lath and other sustainably/locally sourced items to address LEED certification and further promote eco-friendly practices within the zoo.

Bright colors, playful patterns, and interactive elements are embedded in every aspect of the space inviting guests to escape into their own world of games and imagination.

A simple merchandising system accommodates the variety of products on display, while flexible hexagonal and trapezoid shelves provide opportunity to create varying product focals and feature displays.

The hexagonal ceiling tiles create dimension and promote depth for a heightened interest and bold presentation from floor to ceiling.

The Creator Lab serves as a dedicated space for visitors to engage in various hands-on activities, unique toys, and creative projects. Workstations equipped with art supplies, crafting materials, and interactive tools allow visitors to unleash their imagination and creativity. The hexagon cutouts built into the Creator Lab wall reinforces the visual look of the perimeter presentation while serving as visual merchandising display for activities that can be done at the table.

Whimsical and fun graphics add to the lively ambiance of the gift shop experience and provide a sense of discovery as shoppers navigate the store. Bold colors that run from the walls up across the ceiling serve as a backdrop to the messaging and dimensional elements, contributing to the creative notion of ‘coloring outside the lines’.

At the corner of Broadway and 22^nd Street in the Flatiron District, Carhartt’s undeniable iconic, yellow logomark on storefront cements its establishment in the community while a sense of pride builds inside with the black & white NYC buildings’ mural celebrating the local community this store serves.

In keeping with Carhartt’s heritage of workwear, the overall feel of the space has a rugged quality. Elements of construction such as plywood and steel are fused into the design to bring a familiar/casual environment that speaks to the life settings in which the Carhartt products are used. The iconic Carhartt yellow is used on the interior to accentuate the windows as well product displays creating a bold merchandising statement.

The pant wall is uniquely designed for this location with a rugged steel look, deviating from its prototypical reclaimed wood, to localize the space and visually embrace the high-rise/industrial scene of the city while serving as backdrop to its most iconic product category. The legendary scripted Carhartt logo casting a neon glow over the steel serves as a beacon bringing a heritage touch to this category. A digital touchpoint built-in within the wall display engages customers and inform them on product features and selections.

The shoe zone designed to serve both as product display and shoe stockroom helps associates serve customers quickly without the need to go back of house for product. Its design showcases a heavy black mesh structure that adds to the industrial feel of the space.

Custom fixtures and fixture components incorporate the materials that are part of the Carhartt vernacular, while offering capacity, flexibility, and modularity to support key product categories and their growth.

Giving shape to the central checkout area is the use of utilitarian materials and a suspended gallery that celebrates the brand with its sculptural quality.

A mix of natural elements with modern stable influences elevate the brand’s fashion-forward appeal with traditional western influences giving the space a fun and authentic aesthetic. The natural materiality chosen for the design showcases a variety of handpicked rustic woods, worn in metals, genuine leathers and raw textures that serve as backdrops to the brand exuding an inviting ethos that intersects with Las Vegas fun and vibrant scene. Fun neon signs throughout highlight categories in a playful way bringing Vegas vibe to the space.

A stunning 2-story gallery style branded wall at the entry staircase, casting a warm glow with its rustic wood texture, sets the stage for the store environment capturing the essence of Ariat with props and imagery of athletes and musicians that are at the heart of the brand.

A custom rope chandelier with a nod to rodeo roping captivates the eye and beckons customers to explore Ariat’s newest collection upstairs.

Ariat’s signature barnwood red is represented in the space on a 2-story red leather treatment on elevator shaft wall with Ariat’s logomark as a halo-lit application, enticing customers to explore the second level with its impressive volume.

On the second level, customers can find Ariat’s new “Hat Doctor” shop-in-shop showcasing custom fixtures that accentuate the abundance of hats and accessories on display that can be fitted and personalized to each customer’s liking at the steaming station. This experiential Hat Doctor area features cow-hide details, fringe-like signage décor and barber shop chairs where customers can get fitted with their hats while enjoying the view of the Las Vegas Strip.

All in all, these thoughtful design touchpoints infuse the space with a sense of Ariat pride and performance-based character within the Las Vegas scene.

The Flagship design is informed and influenced by the architecture of the Allegiant Stadium providing an underlying sleek and modern aesthetic vocabulary for The Raider Image retail experience. It creates an immersive headquarters for the Raider Nation fans to engage with the brand and the team, integrating striking architectural details from the Stadium while incorporating the history and authenticity of the Raiders throughout the space.

Technology as a fan engagement tool plays an important role throughout the retail store experience offering visually captivating moments as well as fan touch points including interacting with other fans via social media throughout the stadium.

Large-format focal graphics with technology touch points contribute to the sense of drama including the Raiders Hall of Fame wall highlighting players and coaches who have been inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Historical murals with integrated QR Code technology highlight famous Raiders plays infusing the store with a sense of nostalgia and pride, as well as providing a glimpse into the past for new fans to connect to their new team.

The tailgating zone, sponsored by Ford, adds excitement and a sense of fun featuring a Ford F-150 Truck bed setup in a Raiders tailgating scene. Custom coolers are used as merchandising vehicles to entice discovery and round-up the visual display.

Customer-centric amenities including customer concierge stations, personalization kiosks with mobile engagement/ordering, and BOPIS (Buy online Pick-up In-Store) transactions all play an important role in the extension of The Raiders Image store offering to other stadium levels and beyond.