Casual dining sources serve big new-product meal
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, January 28, 2007
Las Vegas — There isn't any shortage of casual dining introductions at this week's market here.
Jofran is introducing seven new sets this market in a new permanent space in the World Market Center, B-965, a showroom equal in size to its 7,500-square-foot Plaza Suites showroom in High Point.
The company is promoting seven casual dining introductions with stepped up finishes, lots of burnishing and stone treatments between $599 and $799 retail.
The looks are more upscale than retailers might typically expect from the promotional company, said President Bob Roy, who added he was expecting a very positive market with the opening of Building B.
"There's more elevators, escalators and open space. There's a kitchen in our space like in High Point. It'll be quite exciting," Roy said.
A-America is showing a mix of about 30% to 50% new product in Las Vegas, with a focus this market on five groups in various heights, ranging from $599 to $899 retail.
Crystal Nguyen, product development and marketing manager for A-America, expects two of the company's collections to do particularly well with Western buyers — Kalispel, a rustic lodge-styled mahogany and pine collection, and Sedona Valley, a Santa Fe ranch-styled collection in pine and walnut.
Another big push for the company is its Platinum Dealer Program for new and existing dealers. The program offers special pricing based on a minimum order commitment, as well as point-of-purchase materials and circulars.
"It's a partnership to keep the product on the floor and keep the floor fresh," Nguyen said.
This market, A.R.T. is introducing the whole-home Marabella collection, its 21st introduction in its three-year history. The story this time is improved finishing and the use of mixed media such as metal and leather, signaling a move up in the grade of furniture produced by the company, according to CEO Ed Grund.
"We've been consistent in terms of how we've approached (introductions)," Grund said. "We're not a company that throws a bunch of stuff against the wall. We really want to be focused on dealers and give them a reason to come see us."
The relaxed and generously scaled Marabella is inspired by the rustic and colorful homes that dot Mediterranean coasts. The collection features antiqued metal scrollwork, braided rope twist undermoldings, sleek marble tops, commanding pilasters and a distinctive raised pyramid design.
Aspenhome, which entered the dining category last year, extends the oak Centennial group to dining. Originally a custom home entertainment program that expanded into home office in October, the new dining group includes a round pedestal table and trestle base dining table, with a choice of classic Windsor back or ladder-back chairs, buffet and optional china/hutch.
The collection features "ah factor" functions such roll-out shelves, silver drawers and hidden plugs for appliances.
Aspenhome also is expanding its Louis Philippe-inspired Chateau De Vin collection from bedroom and home entertainment into dining. The group features classic cherry and alder veneers and three tables — a round for family room brunches or cards, a leg version and a double pedestal.
The dining pieces also include three chairs — a classic Empire-inspired X-back, a fully upholstered classically inspired more formal chair and a 19th century harp-back shape — a buffet and two hutches.
"They're fabulous chairs," said Jena Hall, director of marketing for bedroom and dining room. "We're following the format of informal dining and hope to take different configurations into the great room and kitchen. It's not dinette by a long shot. It's serious furniture but not formal."
Aspenhome "tip-toed into dining last July," Hall added, "and we're rounding off collections we're currently in and adding some key pieces as we go along."
Philip Carr, president of Stone County Ironworks, said his company is expecting big things this week. Stone County pulled out of High Point about two years ago, feeling that it was getting lost in the fray of major case goods producers. In addition to Vegas, Stone County shows in New York and Atlanta, and Carr said he's seeing more of a trend toward regional markets.
"I've learned with shows in general to expect a little and hope for a lot. This is probably about the fourth show we've done (in Vegas) now and it's been good for us."
At market, Stone County will continue to focus on rustic lodge looks and modern looks. The Bella bar table, $698 retail, features a curved base made of hand-forged iron and is available with cherry, glass or copper tabletop.
Berkline Family Dining is showing in a new permanent 5,000-square-foot showroom in B-1226 of the World Market Center.
The dining specialist hopes to further grow its West Coast business this week by emphasizing its direct container program, domestic 48-hour ship program and drop-ship program capabilities. The company has 200 total SKUs and ships from two 40,000-square-foot warehouses in China and Indiana.
With its introductions, APA Marketing is filling out its contemporary category and highlighting counter-height leather banquette offerings. The company is offering free floor sample programs from its 33% larger showroom this week.
The company is featuring two contemporary collections, the urban-styled, seven-piece Pengrove in espresso and natural, priced at $399 to $799 retail, and Salem, a four-piece collection with two-tone, counter-height banquette, at $999.
APA also is showing a new transitional-styled, four-piece collection in a light caramel finish on olive ash burl veneers, and a seven-piece cottage collection, based around a recipe center with full pantry storage and two finishes, linen and sea foam.
Other companies making a push in casual dining in Vegas include HomElegance, which is debuting nine new sets; Pastel, which is expanding its wood offerings; and Powell, which is rolling out several new groups in the next few months.
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