New Ownership for Thief River Linens

-- Home Textiles Today, 4/26/2010 12:00:00 AM

Thomasville, N.C. —

Emily Peele of Studio Peele Home and her manufacturing partners have purchased Thief River Linens, which had been based in Thief River, Minn.

Peele has been associated with Thief River for seven years, beginning as she recalled “as temporary help, and my sole goal was to convince Scott and Linda Bentsen to put me on the payroll.”

The results of her campaign, she noted, were successful to the point that she went on buying trips with Linda Bentsen, covered trade shows and served as the company's North Carolina sales rep.

“When Scott called me and asked if I would be interested in buying the company, I immediately set to work,” Peele said.

The result is a business partnership with her manufacturing partners here — Phillip Young and Tamara Joyce, owners of Carolina Safety Sport, which will be doing the production of the bedding, window coverings and decorative pillows.

The production team is a new group of new hires plus some crossovers from the outdoor safety product business, Peele explained.

The initial offering was shown at the High Point Market last week, where Thief River launched 12 bed ensembles plus window coverings and lots of fabric choices, “with many made in the U.S.,” she explained. “I have no problem upholding Linda's aesthetic,” she commented.

Pricing is at the medium to high-end with retailers, designers and hospitality early sales objectives, The company will show at HD in Las Vegas and veteran hospitality sales rep Leslie Powers is representing the company along with Peele. Fabric, window coverings and decorative pillows will be the focus products.