Richard Holt and Becky Minton each drew on more than 30 years of experience in the wall decor niche to create Holton Galleries, which opened last month. They are confident their long-term relationships with sales reps and suppliers will pay off.

Independent retailers in home accessories, lighting and furniture are their target customers.

"I still feel like there's a real good market for a small company" that can offer basic mirror and art designs with good values, Holton Galleries' President Holt said.

The vendor plans to debut mid- to upper-price wall decor at the April home furnishings market on the second floor of High Point's Showplace, SP-2130.

"We are developing a line of framed mirrors, framed art and paintings," design director Minton said. "We'll also offer tabletop home accessories, imported from Vietnam, made of unusual materials such as mother of pearl."

Holt initially joined Carolina Mirror in 1976, developed and grew the mirror line as the company expanded into the framed art business in the early 1990s. He continued sourcing wall art after he retired as president of Carolina Mirror in 1999.

Minton meanwhile was responsible for design and sourcing for Carolina Mirror until 1999 when she also left the company to pursue design and sales work with a molding manufacturer. In 2000, she began designing wall decor for Gardner Glass. Holt also joined Gardner Glass in mid-2001. So both worked there in 2002 when Gardner Glass bought the Carolina Mirror name and assets. Both Holt and Minton left Gardner Glass in August 2005, months before the company consolidated its facilities and closed the former Carolina Mirror plant at the end of 2005.

Since the October High Point market, Holt and Minton have been working "full speed ahead" to start Holton Galleries, locating its office and warehouse in Statesville, N.C.