PDK shifts showroom site to 261 5th Ave.

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/3/2002 12:00:00 AM

FALL RIVER, MA —

After five years of occupying space in 295 Fifth Ave., quilt manufacturer PDK Worldwide is moving its showroom down the block to 261 Fifth.

Starting July 1, PDK will begin construction on the new space which is located on the 16th floor. After the refurbishment is complete, the 3,600-square-foot space will represent a sharp contrast to the old space, which had only 700 square feet. A conference room and offices for customer use will also be included.

The new space will be ready and open for business by Oct. 1, if not sooner, said Vince Guarriello, national sales manager, just in time for October market. PDK is considering hosting a cocktail party to celebrate the opening.

Guarriello said a key benefit of the new showroom will be the company's ability to showcase 13 fully made beds as opposed to the three beds it could show in the old showroom. PDK's already established licensed Country Living magazine licensed line and its newly signed American Folk Art Museum licensed line, as well as its own Past Time line, will all be on the showroom floor. In addition to quilts, PDK also offers coordinating decorative pillows and shams, all as open stock. New packaging that features vinyl handle bags with canvas trim will also be introduced during market. PDK will also enter the coordinating sheet business and pursuing more licensed programs.

"The owner of the company, Paul Zheng, decided we needed to be more visible and more broadly based," Guarriello said. "So we're making a gigantic step financially and space-wise."

The 14-year-old PDK counts among its customers both department and specialty stores as well as multi-channel retailers.