The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1497340
GPS Piscataway offers innovations you won't find elsewhere. Raising the New Flagship Find the new GPS Flagship off Exit 7 of Interstate 287. Added space translates to triple the lighting. T E X T PAUL HAGEN T o everything there is a season, and for the good people at GPS, it has recently been one of change as they bid a fond farewell to Edison to establish a new location in Piscataway, NJ. "We were outgrowing the Edison location— showroom, warehouse, and distribution center," remembers Brian Maffia, director of showrooms for GPS. And while space was a motivating factor, the team also had grander goals. "We wanted to make this our flagship store," says Maffia. "It's our corporate office as well as our main distribution center for the company." "We wanted to make it a little bit different than any of the other showrooms," Maffia says of the new 5,500-square-foot space. One major innovation was creating new furnishings to allow greater customization. "We built our own vignettes and faucet walls," he explains. is was a departure from vendor-supplied displays, which can sometimes present an overabundance of options or complicate switch outs when products became available. "With our universal displays, I could now take that discontinued product off the wall and replace it with anybody else's product, literally in seconds," says Maffia. e building has evolved significantly since Maffia first saw it as a massive open space. As areas were carved out for product displays, consultation areas and offices, excitement grew. Maffia notes that when it came to deciding what to showcase, he turned to the local staff. "at has to come from them because they know the neighborhood," he explains. From their experience so far, Maffia says they may incorporate certain choices when shaping future showrooms. However, they also learned ways they would prefer to streamline their path to spectacular results— such as installing the amazing working shower that lets customers experience the latest in digital bathing customization. "We would make it easier, more efficient, more cost effective," he says. VUE ON | DESIGN VUENJ.COM 71