An Ohio-based furniture store plans an expansion into the Uptown Houston District - an area that already has fierce competition among home-furnishing and décor retailers.
Weingarten Realty is leasing a 19,340-square-foot site in the Centre at Post Oak to Arhaus Furniture. The store is set to open in early 2013 at the shopping center, which is across the street from the fourth-largest mall in the nation, the Galleria.
The area is one of the most competitive home-furniture retail markets in Houston, said Don Sweat, president of the Galleria Chamber of Commerce.
A recent Google search brought up 10 home-furnishing stores in the 77056 ZIP code of the Galleria area. Among them is Gallery Furniture, which is near Arhaus' future home on Post Oak Boulevard.
Gallery Furniture, which has been in business in the Houston area since the early 1980s, has a strong foothold in the Houston market. Its owner, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, is known for his "save you money" advertising campaign and his charitable support.
Sweat said he could think of at least two other Uptown-area furniture stores, Ashley Furniture and Noel Furniture, that have built strong brand names.
"Those three furniture stores really cover the gamut in offering top-of-the-line, name-brand custom and already manufactured furniture," he said. "Those three are very competitive and very aggressive in seeking out business."
To do business in the Galleria Uptown district, Sweat said Arhaus Furniture will need to provide top products and service as well as "be willing to go the extra mile" for customers.
"The Centre at Post Oak is a great location for Arhaus Furniture," he said. "Retailers are willing to pay more money for rent in order to be in a premier location like that one."
The density of wealth surrounding the area makes the location advantageous for Arhaus, said Booke J. Harvey, leasing director for Weingarten Realty. He said the Post Oak location near the mall could provide the furniture store with significant branding opportunities.
"The Galleria area is the largest tourist destination in Houston," he said. "About 20 million visitors come to the area each year."
The area attracts customers from outlying Houston communities, such as Sugar Land and The Woodlands. And, those who live in the district tend to shop there rather than travel to outlying parts of Houston, he said.
"Pretty much everybody in the greater Houston area comes to the Galleria at least a few times a year," he said. "Retailers feel they will do a better job of capturing more customers in the Galleria area."
Arhaus offers products made by independent artisans from throughout the world exclusively for its stores. According to the store's website, merchandise sold includes sofas, sectionals and chairs wrapped in organic, leather and custom-order fabrics; dining tables and chairs for indoors and out; antiques and replicas; bedroom furniture; and private-label bedding collections. Additional items sold include library and office furniture, wall units and an assortment of media centers as well as seasonal home décor accessories.
The privately held company was established in 1986, and operates 40 locations in 16 states and Washington, D.C. The Galleria Uptown district store will be Arhaus Furniture's first in Texas.
Harvey said he is confident Arhaus Furniture will be successful in Houston, "much like they are all over the county, due to having such a unique furniture and home accessory offering."
"We are thrilled Arhaus Furniture chose Centre at Post Oak for their first Texas store, as they had many other alternatives," Harvey said. "We believe Arhaus Furniture is a great fit for the shopping center as they add a great dimension to the merchandising mix."
Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, Grand Lux Café and Old Navy anchor the Centre at Post Oak.
The furniture store will be in bookseller Barnes & Noble's former store, which closed Feb. 1, 2011 after 16 years in business. Arhaus Furniture is working with designers and architects on extensive interior and some exterior enhancements to the site. Construction is anticipated to start late summer or early fall of this year.
The store's footprint will be designed to " 'oh' and 'ah' customers into mimicking the looks in their own homes," said John Reed, Arhaus' chief executive officer.
"We offer the right combination of designs that Americans are comfortable living with and decorating their homes with, and we merchandise them in the kind of environment that our customers not only feel inspired by, but comfortable shopping in," he said.
The new store's interior will feature skylights, a river-rock fireplace, hand-painted murals and a combination of distressed-oak and stone flooring, as well as the chain's signature display "chair wall," which will showcase dining seats in a variety of shapes and sizes.
"Our build-out is like no other in the industry," Reed said. "We invest a great deal of time creating an environment that not only appeals to the shopper, but maintains our trademark look and feel."
Allen Jones is a freelance journalist and can be reached at allen.jones74@comcast.net.
Source: www.chron.com
Antique dog collar stolen from Harding's Ohio home - FederalNewsRadio.com
MARION, Ohio (AP) - An antique dog collar belonging to former President Warren G. Harding's beloved pet "Laddie Boy" has been stolen from the 29th president's historic home in central Ohio.
Marion police said someone broke into the home Tuesday morning and took only the collar.
Harding used the collar for his Airedale terrier. It was made in 1923, and has the dog's name engraved on raised letters surrounded by hearts.
Officials said a groundskeeper found a ladder propped against a second-story window. They said they suspect the thief has visited the home before and knew where to look for the collar.
Police circulated images of the collar to see if it turns up in a store or on the Internet.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com
One Workplace Establishes Distribution Partnership With Biocomposite-Based Furniture Pioneer e2e Office - msnbc.com
MILPITAS, Calif., June 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One Workplace, Northern California's largest commercial furniture dealership, today announced the establishment of a distribution partnership with e2e Office, a division of Ithaca-NY-based e2e Materials, an innovative clean technology spinoff of Cornell University that develops products made from its advanced biocomposite materials used for the furniture and cabinet industries.
One Workplace's distribution partnership with e2e Office is in direct response to increasing customer demand for more environmentally friendly office products that can contribute to LEED certification and provide a safer and more collaborative work environment. e2e Office will help fulfill this demand with a wide range of office furniture products that are safer, less expensive, stronger and lighter than conventional wood-based products.
The first e2e Office product to be distributed by One Workplace is the award-winning TransFORM™ Workstation, a highly versatile work surface made from e2e Materials' proprietary biocomposites comprised of soy flour and flax fibers that "off-gasses" no formaldehyde and is free from hazardous ('red list') chemicals as defined by the Living Building Challenge.
"We are experiencing customer demand for office furniture products that meet aggressive environmental standards combined with exceptional durability, weight reduction and affordability factors," said Dave Ferrari, president of One Workplace, Northern California's largest commercial furniture dealership and e2e Office channel partner. "That's why we're partnering with e2e Office. Their innovative biocomposite-based office product line addresses each of these important criteria. It also gives our customers new opportunities for earning LEED points and improving employee satisfaction levels due to the significant environmental safety advantages offered by e2e Office products."
The TransFORM Workstation is a highly versatile work surface and series of privacy and communication panels made from e2e's proprietary biocomposite material. Optional re-used and refurbished leg systems that contribute additional LEED points are readily configurable to meet today's design needs. e2e Office products have been fully tested and validated to meet BIFMA standards and use only 19 percent of the embodied energy of traditional wood composites. By using e2e biocomposites, the TransFORM Workstation utilizes annually renewable feedstocks, is 100 percent bio-based and completely fossil fuel free. Offering a full five-year warranty, the TRANSform work surface leverages e2e's patent-pending i-core open architecture construction providing customers with lighter and more durable office furniture.
Future e2e Office products currently under development—including mobile whiteboards, mobile acoustics, unique storage and group communication products—are specifically designed to meet today's open space and mobile workforce needs that emphasize greater collaboration for improved productivity and creativity. All products are being made with e2e Materials' proprietary biocomposites and far exceed the requirements of the CARB Airborne Toxic Controls Measure, offer LEED points across multiple categories, and rank higher than any other material when measured against the stringent Living Building Challenge and Pharos Project criteria.
"Partnering with One Workplace is a significant milestone," said Pat Govang, CEO of e2e Office. "Not only are they the largest commercial furniture dealership in Northern California, they're strategically located in the heart of Silicon Valley whose innovative and forward thinking companies represent the ideal customers of biocomposite-based furniture for the offices of tomorrow."
About e2e Materials
e2e Materials, based in Ithaca, N.Y., develops, designs, engineers and produces proprietary biocomposites for the furniture, cabinetry and other markets. e2e's proprietary composites are made from soy flour and natural grass fiber such as jute, flax and kenaf. Products made from e2e's biocomposite are stronger, lighter, safer and cheaper than those made from formaldehyde-laden wood composites. Additionally, e2e uses only a small fraction of the energy required for wood composites, saving billions of pounds of CO2. www.e2ematerials.com
The e2e Materials Logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12175
About One Workplace
One Workplace is Northern California's largest commercial furniture dealership serving the multi-faceted needs of its startup to Fortune 500 clients. The company is unique among contract furniture dealers by working with its customers from the space planning and design development phase through final installation. One Workplace provides architectural products, office furniture and audio video solutions. In addition, the company represents over 300 manufacturers including Steelcase, the leading provider of office furniture worldwide. For more information visit http://www.oneworkplace.com .
CONTACT: Kevin Gallagher Gallagher Group Communications 510.599.0416 kevin@gg-comm.com Megan Battiato One Workplace mbattiato@oneworkplace.com 408.719.3258
© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
Sofa King boss will keep using ‘offensive’ slogan - Northampton Chronicle
A furniture retailer has vowed to continue using his cheeky strapline – despite being banned from using it in newspaper advertising.
Mark Kypta owns The Sofa King furniture superstore in Far Cotton, Northampton.
He coined the strapline “Where the prices are Sofa King low” when he launched the business ten years ago.
Mr Kypta has been using the slogan to promote his business since and it appears above The Sofa King showroom and on the firm’s delivery vans.
However, in August last year three readers complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about an advert in the Northampton Herald & Post.
The advert used the expression: “Where the prices are Sofa King low”.
In its written judgement, the ASA ruled the advert could be interpreted as using a derivative of a swear word, was therefore “likely to cause serious or widespread offence” and banned it.
Mr Kypta, 42, appealed but despite being asked to reconsider its verdict by Sir Hayden Phillips, the Independent Adjudicator, the ASA will announce on Wednesday that it has upheld its earlier decision.
Father-of-one Mark said: “I don’t agree with the ASA’s decision. My lawyers don’t agree with and it would appear there was even a question in the mind of Sir Hayden Phillips, the Independent Adjudicator.
“But I haven’t got the time or the money to fight a bunch of bureaucrats and launch a second appeal via a judicial review. I want to put my energy into building a business by providing people all over the country with killer deals on sofas and other furniture.
“I will abide by the ASA ruling and I won’t rerun the advert. But I will never drop the slogan. It is a part of the business’s DNA and people love it. I have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes I have received.”
In its latest ruling, the ASA changed the wording of its decision slightly. It said that when spoken or heard, the catchphrase sounded like a derivative of the swear word.
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Print this pageSource: www.northamptonchron.co.uk
Several antique copper kettles stolen from S. Beaver Twp. church - WPXI
Police said thieves who stole six antique copper kettles from a 210-year-old southwestern Pennsylvania church have also endangered a longstanding tradition.
Elders at the First United Presbyterian Church of Darlington said the antique kettles have been used for decades to churn apple butter each October, a congregational tradition for decades.
South Beaver Township police have notified metal dealers in western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to be on the lookout for the kettles, which could be worth up to $300 each.
Church officials discovered the copper pots stolen on Friday morning and said they're so heavy it likely would have taken two people using a truck to steal them.
"The kettles are treasures to us that were donated by our great grandparents," the Rev. Kevin Vosler said. "People will be sad that we won't be making apple butter this year."
South Beaver Assistant Police Chief Jack Mintier said he grew up in the church and is checking up on any lead.
“I’m going to come down hard on them if we figure out who did it,” Mintier said.
Officials from the First United Presbyterian Church of Darlington said they are praying for whoever committed the crime.
Source: www.wpxi.com
Antique Village readies for 2012 fair - Ionia Sentinel-Standard
“Antique Village” which for years was housed in a tent on the west side of the Ionia Free Fair grounds, moved to the Free Fair Floral Building two years ago, affording their attraction a more secure and less weather-dependent location for the displays that could be damaged by July’s unpredictable weather. The true test came during last year’s fair when unforeseen rain storms caused the Grand River to flood its banks, but leaving the Floral Building high and dry.
With days lengthening and temperatures rising, committee members of Ionia Free Fair’s Antique Village are excitedly working on plans for a bigger and better “Antique Village.” Daily demonstrations, special events, nightly entertainment, and antique displays are starting to take form. Back by popular demand will be a Classic Car Show on the Floral Building grounds. In addition to the several interesting displays that they have on the agenda already, a display featuring Ionia County rural country schools are in the works, on loan from the Ionia chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Ionia County Current School Pictures Needed
Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority made up of teachers, decided about 15 years ago, to take on the project of gathering up as much information as possible on one room schools in Ionia County. Each person was assigned a township, resulting in a wide variety of information, including a map of each township with each school’s name listed.
Antique Village would love to include pictures of our country rural schools as they are being utilized “now” in 2012. If anyone has pictures that they would like to share during the 10 days of the Ionia Free Fair, please contact Karen Merchant at 522-1495 or Arlene Hecht at 527-0059.
A reception, for retired rural school personnel from all of Ionia County one room schools, will be held during the fair at Antique Village in conjunction with this display, from 10 a.m. until noon July 24. At this time, Peg Fell will be on hand with all of the Ionia county records available, for those who would like more information. Also, those attending are encouraged to bring a written or typed “Best Story” from their days of working in a one room school.
Floral Displays
The Ionia Free Fair open class Floriculture Division will once again be integrated within the Antique Village.
Floral displays and antiques work very well together, and in hopes of making this year the best Ionia Free Fair ever, they have several categories for your creativity and enjoyment.
New this year is a special category: “ It’s Not Old, It’s Beautiful.” Pre-registration is not required. Visit www.ioniafreefair.com for registration sheets or pick up registration sheets at the Ionia Free
Fair office located at the west end of the fairgrounds.
Questions will gladly be answered by Karen Merchant at 616-522-1495 and Alicia Miller at 616-522-9702.
Fundraising
To insure that Antique Village can continue to grow and improve while keeping this 10 day event free, there will be a great and unique selection of quality raffle items available again this year.
Antique Village, open from 10 a.m - 10 p.m throughout the fair, extends this invitation to visit them and enjoy the nostalgia of days gone by with some interesting and fun looks at yesteryear, at the bigger and better 2012 Ionia Free Fair.
For schedules of their entertainment, demonstrations, and special events, please visit www.ioniafreefair.com.
Source: www.sentinel-standard.com
Four from Sussex charged over antiques raids (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Four charged over antiques raids in Sussex, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire
4:55pm Tuesday 12th June 2012 in News By Ben Parsons, Crime Reporter
Four people have been charged with stealing antiques from auction houses in Sussex and elsewhere in the country.
Darryl Aldridge, 46, of New Barn Road, Shoreham, is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Thursday, accused of nine burglaries.
Items allegedly stolen included antique clocks, jewellery, vases, figurines, and furniture, with an estimated value of £200,000.
Two took place at Gorringes in Lewes in May and June last year.
Three took place in Toovey's, in Washington, near Storrington, in May, June and October, and one at Denhams in Warnham, near Horsham, in July last year.
Three others took place at Concord in Cranbrook, Kent, in June 2011, at Stroud Auctions in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in October 2011, and at JS Auctions in Banbury, Oxfordshire, in July 2011.
He is also accused of a theft at Toovey's in October last year, possession of cannabis and amphetamine, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Police said property with an estimated value of £160,000 has been recovered.
Kelly Lambert, 39, of Lavender Hill, Shoreham, has been charged with theft at Tooveys in October 2011, Anthony Townsend, 49, of Upper Lewes Road, Brighton, has been charged with the burglary at Stroud Auctions, and Anthony Fortune, 54, of Park Road, Worthing has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Flat-pack furniture drug traffickers jailed (From News Shopper) - News Shopper
Flat-pack furniture drug traffickers jailed after police raids across Bromley and Kent
3:28pm Tuesday 12th June 2012 in Top Stories By Robert Fisk
THREE members of a drug trafficking ring which smuggled drugs into Britain hidden in flat-pack furniture and secret compartments in vans have been jailed for 44 years.
The gang was smashed after an extensive surveillance operation by Met police officers which saw them recover cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of £12m and £2.1m in cash.
Ringleader Charles Flatman has been given a 24 year sentence following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.
He was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, concealing criminal property, possessing criminal property and possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate.
During the trial the jury heard cops found £240,700 and €516,000 in cash, jewellery valued at £380,000 and vehicles worth £120,000 at Flatman’s home in Elwill Way, Beckenham.
And at a premises in Sidcup which the 65-year-old used to store ammunition and cocaine officers found 25 rounds of 9mm, cocaine testing kits, rubber gloves with traces of white powder, £41,350 and handwritten notes relating to drug transactions.
At a residential address in Kent owned by Flatman a safe containing £1,078,000 in cash was recovered along with a further £60,000 and some cannabis resin.
Mark Worden, aged 52, of Boughton Avenue, Bromley, was sentenced to 10 years for conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and six years for conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, to be served concurrently.
Worden pleaded guilty to the charges at the court last November.
When the 52-year-old was arrested outside his address his van was searched and 5kg of cocaine, worth around £2.5m, was found in a secret compartment concealed within the rear of the vehicle.
And Lee Ridgley, aged 54, from Maidstone, was sentenced to 10 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug.
Fifty-year-old Angela Firth, of Elwill Way, Beckenham, is due to be sentenced today (June 12) for money laundering offences.
Source: www.newsshopper.co.uk
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