Victorian Heart moves into new space

By Andrea Lillo -- Home Textiles Today, 7/21/2003 12:00:00 AM

KIRBYVILLE, MO —

Importer and distributor Victorian Heart Co. has settled into its new two-level headquarters and warehouse facility here, just outside of Branson.

The company's operations were previously spread among four separate facilities totaling between 22,000 square feet and 25,000 square feet, said Ken Kline, president and ceo.

The new building is 27,000 square feet, although the company gained about 50 percent more inventory space due to the fact that the new building is much higher than the older facilities, according to Kline.

The new setup allows the company to better accommodate its small- to medium-sized customers, such as boutiques, independent retailers, small chains and catalogs, since inventory has to be available to them quickly.

It took a while to find the right spot for the new building, Kline added, because "there's not a lot of office space available in Branson — this city's all about entertainment."

Nearby Branson is self-described as "The Live Music Show Capital of the World."

Victorian Heart's warehouse and office complex is adjacent to 18 acres of land that the company may use if it needs additional distribution capacity.

The company designs and imports five core product lines: promotional bedding; premium bedding under its Lasting Impressions label; rugs and chairpads; handmade linens from China; and, as of three months ago, table linens, which coordinates with the bedding and is also under the Lasting Impressions label.