Masins overcomes two disasters
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, March 5, 2006
Seattle — Masins will open a new store this spring, next door to the one it is replacing, completing a two-phase fresh start following a double disaster for the high-end retailer in 2001.
The 30,000-square-foot flagship store will have about 20,000 square feet of selling space — about the same as in the current quarters — on four levels, and will span two historic buildings. It has been years in planning and will officially open in early May.
"It hasn't been easy. Historic buildings always present challenges," said Bob Masin, president of the fourth-generation family-owned business.
"We want to be part of the post-earthquake revitalization of this neighborhood, and we're excited to be here," he added. "We just hope the new store is tragedy-proof."
In February 2001, the Masins store here was severely damaged by an earthquake. Ten months later it lost its other store, in Bellevue, across Lake Washington from Seattle, in a fire. Still, the company — a recipient of the National Home Furnishings Assn.'s Retailer of the Year honor in 2003, managed to survive both disasters without laying off anyone.
In 2004, it opened a new 28,000-square-foot Bellevue store. Before the opening, employees had been working out of a small, temporary boutique across the street.
In Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, Masins continued to work out of its damaged store but was facing a requirement to retrofit the building to make it earthquake-proof, Masin said.
The company thought it would be easier to make a fresh start and do the retrofitting on an empty building, so it decided to move to the north end of the block. When it completes the shift in May, it probably will look to lease or sell its current home, Masin said.
He wouldn't disclose the retailer's investment except to say it is in the millions of dollars. "We had insurance, so that helped," he said, although he added that dealing with the insurance company was a two-and-a-half-year battle.
Still, the payoff is a spectacular store, Masin said. The company managed to preserve and blend historic elements — including brickwork and exposed beams — with modern touches.
Product will be featured in lifestyle environments. Key suppliers include Baker, Stickley, Councill, Hancock & Moore, Hickory Chair and Henkel-Harris.
Masins has no immediate plans to add any new vendor, but the store will include recent introductions from many of its existing sources, including Alexa Hampton's designs for Hickory Chair, Stickley's Greene & Greene collection and Charles Spencer's Althorp pieces from Theodore Alexander.
"They will be an exciting addition to our other lines and represent some of the most current style trends in the industry," said Rich Holliday, Masins buyer and design director, responsible for the new store design and construction.
Masin wouldn't give sales projections, but noted the business climate has been tough.
"If I saw a 5% to 8% increase (over business at the current store) I'd be very happy," he said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for May 4. A raffle that day will benefit Children's Hospital.
The following week, Masins will partner with Barneys New York and Cartier for an evening event celebrating high-style glamour and design.
Proceeds from a silent auction of custom-made designer boxes filled with luxury items will benefit the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.
In addition, a series of Saturday seminars will be presented starting May 6, featuring designer presentations, product demonstrations and a trunk show.
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