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Knoxville Wholesale Furniture opens 93,000-square-foot store

Hopes to build market share in city

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, January 20, 2009

Attending a vendor event celebrating the Knoxville Wholesale Furniture opening are Ralph Scozzafava, left, of Furniture Brands International, Tim Harris of Knoxville Wholesale Furniture, Skipper Holliman of Lane and Jeff Cook of Broyhill.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville Wholesale Furniture's key suppliers were wowed Monday during a visit to the retailer's newest showroom and attached distribution center here, which is drawing strong business despite the tough economy.

Tim Harris, president and owner of the three-store chain, which is Knoxville's dominant furniture store, led suppliers, media and other guests on a tour of the facility perched on a hill on Old Callahan Drive in north Knoxville.

It includes a 93,000-square-foot showroom - the retailer's largest - and a 122,000-square-foot distribution center, with racks to the 38-foot ceilings and room to grow.

Harris said he hopes the new store will do between $12 million and $15 million in sales this year, pushing the chain's total sales passed $40 million. With four weeks of booked business, sales for the store are running about 15% ahead of projections, he said.

He said the retailer has about 24% of the market share here, and "we think now we will be over 40% and 50% is very achievable."

The solidly midpriced store includes a Broyhill gallery and Lane Comfort Showcase as well as lifestyle and product category displays, with styles ranging from traditional to casual contemporary. Other key suppliers include Universal, Corinthian, Cheers, Liberty, Ashley, A.R.T. Furniture and Spring Air.

"In today's marketplace, with everything going on in our industry, for an individual to make this kind of commitment to the community and to our industry is remarkable," said Ed Grund, CEO of A.R.T.

"You'd have to call him an individual with vision and fortitude to be able to bring this about," added Grund. "Stores across the country are closing, and here we are at the opening of a magnificent store."

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