Susan Dickenson

STORE OPENINGS, EXPANSIONS, CLOSINGS
May 9, 2008

Claremont, Calif. -- Mark Bedol has opened What’s Next in Claremont, California, at 456 W. First Street. Bedol, a designer/inventor who holds over 45 patents, teamed with Edifice Architects to create a shopper-friendly store resembling an art gallery, with a large arching structure resembling a palm tree and a “Swiss Cheese-holed” display wall. Bedol and his wife Keri wanted to create a dynamic, playful environment where customers could interact with the product line, which include Bedol’s designs alongside other complementary lines. “We wanted something catchy and hip for the store design, and something that would really reflect the unique look of our products,” Bedol said. The store’s name came from repeated interactions with customers who would regularly ask, “What’s new? What’s the latest product? What’s Next?”

Murfreesboro, Tenn. -- Devine Décor home furnishings boutique opens May 12 at 519 N. Thompson Lane in the Shops of Murfreesboro. The store is owned by Paula Campbell-Threatt and, in addition to a wide array of upscale home accessories, will offer interior design services. 

Boston, Mass. --  Martin and Michele Yeeles are opening Front, a gift and home accessories shop on Channel Center Street, May 9.

Dallas, Texas – The third Stacy Home Furnishings Center will be located in The Colony, located midway between the retailer’s Grapevine and Allen, Texas, stores. Within the Center will be Stacy Furniture & Accessories and Stacy’s Kids Stuff. Stacy Furniture & Accessories was founded in 1991 and is family owned and operated.

Monroe, Mich. -- Michael and Brenda Jurgenson opened Jacob's Garden, a 28,000-sq.-ft. retail garden center and two greenhouses in Ottawa Lake. The store will also feature home decor items and patio furniture.

Maryville, Tenn. -- Classic Home Furnishings recently celebrated its grand opening at 403 S. Washington St. Owner Susan Cadegan, previous owner of Ross Furniture, said the store will offer full interior design services in addition to a large selection of fabrics and home furnishings. The store will promote American-made manufacturers.

Wilmington, N.C. – Custom Home Furniture Galleries has opened at 3514 S. College Road. Owners Kevin and John Gray opened the new store in the former Murrow Furniture Galleries building. The new 50,000-sq.-ft. showroom is twice the size of their Market Street store, which has operated for 13 years.

Dallas, Texas -- Home Interiors & Gifts has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Founded in 1957 by Mary Crowley, the $500 million company was acquired by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1998. The company employs close to 500 people at its headquarters and distribution center in Carrollton, but also depended on approximately 70,000 independent decorating consultants who sold the company’s products using home parties and other direct selling techniques. The company's Canadian and Mexican affiliates, with another 30,000 consultants, were not part of the bankruptcy filing. Home Interiors posted revenue of about $300 million last year.

CLOSING:  Wallace Home Furnishings, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, founded in 1978… Broad Street Furnishings, Nevada City, Calif., founded in 1977.

Posted by Susan Dickenson on May 9, 2008 | Comments (0)