Stone Brook matures beyond core table linens

CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ — At barely two years old, Stone Brook Linens, based here, is steadily boosting its product assortment beyond its signature line of table linens.

As seen in October at the New York Home Textiles market, Stone Brook recently introduced a new line of bath towels, and the company has plans to add kitchen textiles and possibly more bath product categories in 2002, said Anthony Abbadessa, vp of product development.

Stone Brook initially previewed its towel line in April with its Galant collection of 100 percent cotton towels made in India and available in seven colorways.

"We kind of added the towels to our assortment in the showroom at the last minute," Abbadessa explained. "The opportunity presented itself with the same group of people we already work with in India to make our table linens, and we decided to give it a shot."

After enjoying a "very good" reception from mid-tier retailers, Stone Brook set out to enhance its towel offerings. At fall market, the company added a collection of 100 percent Egyptian cotton towels. Titled Nova, the new collection is also imported from India and is available in the same seven colors as the original collection as well as four more formal and brighter hues — lavender, sea green, apricot and yellow.

Both Galant and Nova towels are available in four sizes — bath, hand, tip and bath sheet.

Price points for bath towels average $7 for the Galant collection and $9 for the Nova collection.

"We got into towels originally just as an added feature to help drum up more business," Abbadessa said. "We'll be getting into kitchen textiles probably with a preview in April and an official launch in October."

In 2002, towel collections with new patterns and colors will be added.

"I think these new approaches are a good move for Stone Brook because maybe we can eventually intro shower curtains," Abbadessa added.