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 yet 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 on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
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.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor Jeff Williams toured the bustling south Arlington facility and met with some of the company’s hundreds of employees. The company is actively hiring for management and operations roles as well as line staff and skilled garment repair specialists and dry cleaning professionals.
“I get very excited when we talk about job creation. This a great industry, a new industry that is really setting the country 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 every rental.
“We have an amazing inventory. We have amazing designers and we have an incredible system where once you place your order, I can deliver it to you within two days,” Cunningham said. “Regardless of who you are or where you live, you can wear any designer than anybody in New York and L.A. has access to. You now have access because we have a virtual closet for each and every woman.”
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