New York retailer looks to relief efforts
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 17, 2001
NEW YORK — NEW YORK — Basics Furniture is looking for help from manufacturers, other retailers, sales representatives and others for an industry-wide relief effort assisting victims of the World Trade Center attack.
The one-store, downtown Manhattan retailer is planning to sell T-shirts to the industry, donating all profits to relief organizations, said Adam Levine, Basics co-owner. He wants to hear from industry people to see what other forms relief efforts may take.
"We're assuming people will need furniture," he said. "We may need to set up a huge clearance sale, where all proceeds go to (relief efforts). But it would be nice if everyone in the industry saw the value of making one united effort."
Advertising agency Stain nyc is working with Basics on a design for the T-shirts — probably a red, white and blue ribbon image.
"We believe the industry should show its unity by hanging flags in windows to show our support for the victims," Levine said.
For more information on this and a potential industry-wide effort, contact Levine at adam@basicsfurniture.com or at (646) 486-2443, a new line set up last week.
Separately, Theresa Pickard, human resources coordinator for Sleepy's in Bethpage, N.Y., said the sleep shop chain last week donated 200 cots to assist victims.
