Meet Peter Harden of Scottsdale Fashion Square

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Harden.

Peter, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I first started as a security guard at Scottsdale Fashion Square, I had one pair of black sneakers with a hole in them.

Shortly after I started working at Scottsdale Fashion Square, the property manager at the time, John James, saw something unique and special in me. John created an entirely new position for me (and for Scottsdale Fashion Square), designating me as a Roving Concierge. I was given a wardrobe allowance for the first several months in my new role. I purchased dress shirts, pants and ties, and made relationships with Scottsdale Fashion Square store managers. They began dressing and styling me, and passed along discounts to me when they could. They would also save items for me so I could save up the money to purchase them. I would ride the bus to Scottsdale Fashion Square, and arrive an hour early to dress in my attire for the day.

As a Roving Concierge, I drove around the mall greeting shoppers, store managers, and mall staff. I do my best to make their days with compliments, smiles, kind words and assistance. The most important thing I do is listen to shoppers and their needs, and then deliver. I help to make things happen, and aim to exceed all levels of expectation.

Every day is my imagination of heaven. It’s a gift to wake up every day to my family, and come to Scottsdale Fashion Square to my “extended” family of shoppers and retailers.

Has it been a smooth road?
Scottsdale Fashion Square has some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met in my life. We’re all here to make our shoppers’ experience unreal!

The most rewarding aspect of my job is to be around people, and have the opportunity to touch someone’s life every day.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Scottsdale Fashion Square story. Tell us more about the business.
Scottsdale Fashion Square is the undisputed luxury leader in the Southwest for upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. With more than 200 shops and restaurants, including 40 of the world’s finest luxury and contemporary brands, Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the premier shopping destinations in the nation.

Scottsdale Fashion Square’s concentration of luxury and contemporary brands includes Burberry, Escada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, St John, Cartier, Bulgari, Bottega Veneta, CH Carolina Herrera, David Yurman, DVF, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Neiman Marcus. The shopping center is home to 48 retailers and restaurants that are exclusive to the Arizona market.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is undergoing a multi-dimensional renovation to enhance and redefine its luxury shopping and dining experience.

While the center is close to being fully leased, Scottsdale Fashion Square is re-engineering its current layout, which includes adding, combining, dividing and recasting square footage to maximize the retail footprint of the center.

Scottsdale Fashion Square will remain open throughout the renovation, with careful attention to ensuring a comfortable and convenient shopping experience for guests, including scheduling construction activity during off hours.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
People have more ways to shop than ever before. Top-performing shopping centers, like Scottsdale Fashion Square, continue to be magnets for people, for ideas, for great experiences and great brands, as well as community gathering places.

Scottsdale Fashion Square truly is a town square of our community. People come to Scottsdale Fashion Square for many reasons, and a rich variety of in-person experiences: from great food and entertainment options to lots of different kinds of retail, plus exceptional amenities.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• Website: www.fashionsquare.com
• Phone: 480-941-2140

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