Griest consults on Southern collections
Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, October 10, 2005
New Orleans — Ronna Griest, a 25-year veteran of the upholstered furniture and fabric industries, is working as a consultant on several projects, including Southern Furniture's Flea Market and Antiques Roadshow collections.
"Ronna has focus and brings to the party the expertise we are looking for," said Ken Church, president of Southern Furniture. "She's very talented, and she was one of the first to do the collage looks."
"I've been doing this for 25 years and I understand it from the ground up," Griest said, "so I'll be going for opportunities where my experience can be best used.
"I've got several projects in the works, but this one came along first, and it's a great opportunity."
She said she also is developing ideas for several retail operations.
In addition, Griest said she is working with investors "trying to put together a new retail concept" in New Orleans, where Griest lives. She is currently staying in Charlotte, N.C., because of the flooding in New Orleans.
Griest created the Expressions and Passamenterie lines, both of which were part of Century's Highland House division. She was president of the Expressions store chain until she left the company in April.
