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RANDOM NOTES: Hosiery and shapewear maker Spanx (below) opened its first freestanding location, in Tysons Corner Center, McLean, Va. The l,20O-sq.-ft store has a chic, stylish look, and is accented throughout with signature Spanx red. Lucite finishes and high-gloss lacquer are combined with warm, feminine furnishings for a high-fashion feeL The fitting rooms are sparious but intimate, with flattering lighting. Additional Spanx stores are set to open in King of Prussia, Pa., and Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J. ... Three established retailers are testing new concepts. Teen fave Hot Topic has opened Blackheart, a lingerie and beauty products store with an edgy, rock ' n' roll sensibility, in five locations (three in Southern California, two in Texas). Williams-Sonoma's West Elm division has debuted a neighborhood market format West Elm Market in Brooklyn, N.Y. And Canadian luxury fashion retailer Holt Renfrew & Co. will launch a discount apparel chain for women under the hr2 banner in March, in Quebec, with planned locations across the country by 2015. ... Domino's Pizza's (left) new "Pizza Theater'' store design, developed in partnership with Chute Gerdeman, Columbus, Ohio, puts pizza-making front and center, allowing customers to watch as the chefs hand-toss fresh dough and create individual orders. There's even a step platform so that kids can watch the action. A chalkboard wall offers a creative outlet for folks of all ages. Technology comes into play with an order kiosk and an electronic, personalized status board ("Pizza Tracker") where customers can track their orders. For more photos of Domino's and other new stores, visit chainstoreage.com/multimedia.





