Home & Harmony branching out

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 12/8/2003 12:00:00 AM

ATLANTA —

Home Source International has inked deals with rep firms in Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles to open 600 to 700-square-foot showrooms for Home & Harmony, its high-end product division.

The showrooms will open by January 2004 to coincide with the gift shows in those markets. The company will work with rep firms Alexander Terry Associates in Atlanta, Naperies in Dallas and Collectibe in Los Angeles.

In addition, Home Source is expanding into a 10,000-square-foot distribution center and warehouse in Atlanta, which will begin making shipments in January 2004. Formerly, the company used a 3,000-square-foot facility in Brecard, NC.

Current executive vp of sourcing Craig Benepe, who heads up this new strategy, will also be named president of Home & Harmony, effective Jan. 1. Meanwhile Home Source is plans to add a new vp bedding to join its team at the start of the new year.

The company has already established mini showrooms of 200 to 300 square feet in San Francisco, Seattle, Cleveland/Chicago, Kansas City and Toronto, designed to have more of a regional appeal. After the addition of the new showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas and LA, the company will have a total of nine locations with about 30 reps nationwide.

Home Source president Keith Sorgeloos, said Home & Harmony has gained momentum after six months of catering to independents.