Archive for August, 2009
August 31st, 2009 at 11:29pm
Under Furniture News
Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. is opening the Suites at Market Square on the top floor to a new group of about 40 home furnishings suppliers. This will include eight textile suppliers for the furniture market at High Point. The Suites already covers two floors featuring seasonal and temporary suppliers across all sections of the business.
The new Softgoods and Textiles Pavilion is just part of the plan to offer more types of products during the major furniture and home furnishings market that is held annually in April and October. As of now, 20 companies are in various stages of contract negotiations for the new pavilion that is on the top floor of the Suites that consists of three levels.
Brian Bunch, VP, said “We are interested in suppliers who service the interior design trade with cut order yardage, sample books and custom orders in decorative fabrics, trimmings, decorative pillows and top of the bed.” MMPI has a roster of more than 10,000 interior designers who visit the semi-annual market in High Point.
By slone
August 30th, 2009 at 08:44pm
Under Medical Furniture
A dual fusion computer cart provides you with mobile access to two computers at one time and only requires a minimal amount of space. They’re great additions to medical environments, but can also be used in any business where you need to be able to access two computers in various areas.
VersaTables dual fusion computer carts are made from 14 gauge American steel to be durable and strong. You can adjust each monitor independently so that numerous users can obtain the perfect adjustments for their height. The monitor arm adjusts from 33″ up to 55″ and will securely support two full sized monitors.
The carts keyboard tray can also be adjusted to any height and it can be turned in any direction. The frame is designed with a H-base so that it will be stable and it has a push handle for easy movement. And, the locking casters
will glide smoothly on almost any surface.
By slone
August 29th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Ehtan Allen recently announced that it will continue to expand with the opening of several new Design Centers in Raleigh, North Carolina and Dubai, U.A.E. The company is also pursuing new locations in other markets throughout the U.S. and abroad.
The new concepts from Ethan Allen is a combination of cutting edge technology and innovative display. The Raleigh design center has 10,000 square feet and holds a sampling of the companies stylish products and inspirational room decorations. And, also has a full range of design services and tools.
Inspired by the success of Ethan Allen’s flagship Design Center in Manhattan that opened last summer, the Dubai Design Center is the companies flagship of the Middle East. Located inside the Dubai Mall, the center is 12,000 square foot and displays Ethan Allen’s classic, modern perspective.
By slone
August 28th, 2009 at 10:44pm
Under Furniture News
The Raleigh, North Carolina area has been hit hard again with four businesses filing for Chapter 7. Carolina Sofa, Carolina sofa Factory, Carolina Furniture Direct and Carolina Leather have all filed in court under the authorization of Gerald Helms.
Helms is listed as president on two of the petitions and as manager, member on the other two court documents. While Helms couldn’t be reached for a comment, one of the salespersons said that the Carolina Sofa showroom has already been shut down, along with two other stores.
The attorney for the four companies, Jeb Jeutter, said that they had been scaling back for some time. And, at the time the Chapter 7 bankruptcy was filed that only one retail location still exists.
By slone
August 28th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
After a shareholders meeting on August 27, Select Comfort has announced that a deal to give the majority of ownership in the company to Sterling Partners was voted down. Only 49.94 percent of the shareholders voted in favor of the deal that would have turned control over to the equity firm.
Under the terms of the deal, Sterling Partners would have acquired 50 million shares for 70 cents per share totaling $35 million. If the deal had passed, Sterling would have had a majority of the seats on the board of directors with 52.5 percent ownership.
The company has been struggling for over a year and had warned shareholders that rejection of the deal would place the company out of compliance with the terms of its credit agreement. Rejecting the deal means that Select Comfort will have to reimburse Sterling Partners as much as $1 million for expenses and pay at least $750,000 in termination fees.
It isn’t clear what Select Comfort’s next move is going to be, but the company may have to file bankruptcy now. About 75 percent of Select Comfort’s revenues comes from company owned stores. This year the company has already closed over 50 stores.
By slone
August 27th, 2009 at 11:45pm
Under Furniture News
Several years after the plant has shut down, an old Bassett Furniture Company is finally being demolished. Demolition of the three story building began last Monday and is expected to take around 30 days. The plant located on Fairystone Park Highway sits on the site of the company’s original factory in 1902. The original plant had burnt long ago.
The plant was shut down as a factory in 1990 and had been used as a company warehouse up until 2002 or 2003. Dismantling the building actually began about seven years ago and two contractors have already salvaged materials from the plant.
The building consisted of white, red and chestnut oak, heart of pine and bricks from the 1920’s. All of the usable wood that was in the building was already removed before the final demolition began. MBH Enterprises of Rural Hall, North Carolina was contracted for the demolition.
MBH specializes in the demolition of concrete structures and will remove the foundation concrete, the foundations for the boilerhouse and smokestacks, the reservoirs and two smaller buildings that are adjacent to the plant. The contractor will also recycle any metal that is remaining in the structure.
The company is looking into uses for the stone and said they weren’t aware of any thing from the building that will be going into landfills. Owners of Bassett Funeral Service nearby were alerted about the possible dust and noise from the demolition and have volunteered to help maintain the property when the land is planted in grass after demolition.
By slone
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:33pm
Under Furniture News
Designer Appreciation Day has been set for September 2 and around 50 showrooms are planning to host the event. Some of the showrooms will be offering summer sale prices of as much as 75 percent off of selected merchandise. The showrooms are all part of the High Point Design Center which is open to designers year round.
Ellen Geferi, the co-owner of Gefen Productions will be offering suggestions about how to help clients make design changes in their homes at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. The presentation, in the 200 Steele Cafe will be followed by a barbecue lunch at noon.
The event will include door prizes and gift bags. And, business cards are required for attendees to qualify for the prizes which will be donated by Courtyard by Marriott, Ashford Suites Hotel, John-Richard, Laurel Hedge/Harden and several other business.
By slone
August 14th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
Hooker Furniture announced the companies plans to close a frame manufacturing plant in Woodleaf by the end of the year. The plant is part of it’s Bradington - Young subsidiary and employees about 23 workers. The production is being transferred to a plant in Cherryville.
The companies goal is to sell all the equipment and the 34,000 square foot facility at a on going business sell. But, Hooker also said that if the deal couldn’t be reached by the end of the year, it would sell all the equipment separately.
The move is needed to reduce the companies fixed overhead cost that range between $350,000 and $550,000 yearly. If the company don’t find a buyer for the plant, it is expecting to have to take a restructuring charge of around $140,000 in the third quarter.
By slone
August 12th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
The Bassett Home Furnishings store on Seminole Trail will be closing less than five years after the store opened. The store held an invitation only sale last month and just last week, they opened to the public. The store has hired a liquidator to handle the process of closing.
There’s still not been a final date set for the stores last day, but Cort Kirkley, store owner said they may stay open until early in September to take advantage of Labor Day weekend. The company stock has seen drastic drops on the stock exchange, from $16 in early 2007, down to $2.43 on July 30.
Despite the loss of the Seminole location, Kirkley says that he plans to keep the other three stores owned by the company open. He even stated that he has a little optimism and that the next few months will bring some improvements to the industry.
By slone
August 11th, 2009 at 07:00am
Under Furniture News
High Point Planning and Development Committee is considering a proposed 230 acre showroom district for the city. The first stage would be to inform the public of a recommended location. It is very likely that a public hearing will be held sometime in the fall after the proposed site is released.
The core plan was adopted early in 2007 and was undertaken to try to help revitalize and redevelop the downtown area. The showroom district was one of the recommendations in the plan and is the center of the plan’s core city area.
Some property owner’s believe that their properties could be developed as showrooms and won’t make the land available for other uses. The zoning of a showroom district could help open up those properties for other types of development
The committee is recommending that any existing showrooms are included and can be expanded through sepcial exceptions approval. The only requirement will be that the showroom had to have been used at least once over the last four market. New showrooms can also be built inside the district.
By slone
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