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Linon to launch area rug line

Former CEO of Hellenic Steve Mazarakis to direct effort

Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, January 30, 2009

MINEOLA, N.Y. — Furniture and wall decor source Linon Home Decor Products is adding a full line of rugs that it will introduce at the upcoming Las Vegas Market.

Steve Mazarakis

Directing the new Linon Area Rugs division is Steve Mazarakis, who until this week was CEO of Hellenic Rug Imports, which is winding down its wholesale operations.

"We feel this is an exciting category for Linon to re-enter," said Jim Ziozis, president of Linon. "My father, John Ziozis, the founder of Linon, started in the flokati business 40 years ago, so this is really getting us back into the rug business. We feel that Linon re-entering the rug business will offer buyers an outstanding home décor selection of furniture, wall décor and rugs."

Linon, a supplier of ready-to-assemble furniture and wall décor, will show the new rug line in Las Vegas in its World Market Center space, C-1232.

The initial rug collections will include a full line of stocking rug programs, including the flokati collection; traditional, transitional and contemporary hand-tufted wool rugs; a shag leather collection and a wool "sisal" program.

Some of the rugs will be offered under the Southern Living Home licensing program

The company said it will stock rugs at warehouses in Newark, N.J., and Calhoun, Ga. Linon will offer container and warehouse direct ship programs.

In the future, the rug line will add new products such as polyester/acrylic tufted rugs in over 150 designs, indoor outdoor programs, an assortment of opening price point machine-made rugs, and many Flokati colors and qualities.

Mazarakis said he resigned as CEO of Hellenic on Thursday, although he remains a majority shareholder in the company. Hellenic is in the process of "winding down its wholesale division," he said.

In an exclusive interview with Furniture/Today, Mazarakis said that Hellenic has closed its wholesale showrooms in Atlanta, High Point, Las Vegas and New York.

"Peter Rogakis, chief operating officer and a company shareholder, is currently running Hellenic," said Mazarakis. "Hellenic remains a going concern and it is honoring its delivery commitments. Hellenic owns inventory and will continue to service its customers. As the majority stockholder of Hellenic, I remain available to assist the company."

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Linon launching area rug line

Feb 9, 2009

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