Kate Spade and Kenneth Cole aren’t just selling amazing handbags at their new retail outlets in Manchester, Vermont. They’re also helping to save the planet.
The side-by-side stores share a revolutionary heating and cooling system which uses geothermal technology.
“We’re doing our part. We as a company would like to make ourselves more sustainable and we hope other companies follow,” said Ben Hauben, owner of local development firm Vanderbilt Equities. “And some of these companies like the idea because they can say they’re supporting green.”
It cost between $70, 000 and $80, 000 to outfit the fashion boutiques with the environmentally-friendly technology, but the potential to eliminate fossil fuel makes the investment all worthwhile.
Vanderbilt Equities hasn’t simply jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon. The firm has been creating greener buildings for the last 20 years.
“Overall we haven’t really waited for anyone to step to the plate. We stepped to the plate first,” explained Vanderbilt Equities co-owner Lana Hauben.
Now if only Kate Spade and Kenneth Cole would ditch the leather and start creating eco-friendly accessories, we could enjoy a truly green fashion shopping experience!
