Avanti opens larger store
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, March 10, 2002
FRANKFORT, Ill. — Avanti Fine Furniture has opened a 20,000-square-foot showroom here, replacing a much smaller unit as it moves to broaden its assortment of midpriced to high-end goods.
Business has been "incredible" since the store on West Lincoln Highway soft-opened late last year, said RoseAnn Gizzi, who co-owns the Chicagoland store with her husband, Bill Gizzi. She projected sales will reach about $7 million this year, up from about $2 million last year, when the company was working out of its 4,000-square-foot store in Worth, Ill.
It's the second move for the family-owned business, now it its 26th year. Gizzi said Avanti (Italian for "go forward") prides itself on its reputation for great service and treating customers like family.
Grand-opening events and advertising will continue all this month, she said.
With the move to this growing southwest Chicago suburb, Avanti was able to broaden the assortment from key suppliers including Natuzzi, Bernhardt, Keller, Weiman, Rowe, Stanley and Hickory White. It also added new lines, including Carter, Carson's of High Point, Ello, Creative Elegance and Drexel Heritage.
Drexel, Natuzzi and Bernhardt are shown in gallery settings with each line getting at least 3,000 square feet of space. On the 5,000-square-foot upper mezzanine, Avanti created "Contempo Loft by Avanti," featuring a variety of contemporary goods from Dellarobbia, Weiman, Elite, Carson's, Design Craft, Johnson Casuals and Ello.
Gizzi said the store expects to add more Italian lines soon.
To support the growth, the retailer recently opened a 5,000-square-foot warehouse, which it plans to expand to 10,000 square feet by the end of the year, she said.
| Owners of Avanti Fine Furniture's new 20,000-square-foot showroom in greater Chicago expect the store to do about $7 million in sales this year. |
| Cutting the ribbon at the store opening are Ray Rossi, left, mayor of Frankfort Ill.; and Patrick Gizzi, Augie Santillan, Joe Dissi, Melissa Gizzi, Gina Waitkus, RoseAnn Gizzi and Bill Gizzi, all of Avanti. RoseAnn and Bill's youngest son, Antonio, 5, lends a hand. |
| Avanti goes for an eclectic look with Stanley's Empire dining room in cherry with solid walnut accents next to a transitional Natuzzi leather sofa with exposed wood. |
| A hot-selling contemporary Natuzzi leather sectional, retailing for $7,050, and Weiman marble tables get prime position near the entrance of the new Avanti Fine Furniture store. |
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