Star opens expanded showroom in Houston
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, 12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
HOUSTON — Star Furniture has opened a two-level, 75,000-square-foot store here, bucking a tough economic environment.
The showroom at Interstate 45 and the 1960 highway in northwest Houston replaces a 60,000-square-foot former unit in the area, offering an expanded display of the 10-store retailer's midpriced to upscale assortment.
Among the areas that have been expanded are a Thomasville gallery — now 7,000 square feet — a rug gallery and the bedding department, where Star has added Simmons to its Serta and Tempur-Pedic lines.
Other key suppliers include Bernhardt, LeatherTrend, Universal, Legacy Classic and Kincaid.
Star CEO Bill Kimbrell characterized the move as a repositioning to a new standalone location closer to the Woodlands area of Houston, a “high-growth area aligned with our customer base.”
He would not disclose projected sales or Star's investment in the new showroom, which was built from the ground up, but said that the recent grand opening drew good traffic and met the company's expectations. Star tied the opening to a United Way benefit, giving discounts to consumers who made a donation to the charity.
Kimbrell said Star is pleased with the store's new design, adding that it's “something we'd like to replicate going forward.” The building's open floor plan has good sight lines and plenty of natural light, and puts a focus on collections.
“It just has a more attractive feel as far as display goes,” Kimbrell said. “It's pretty refreshing.”
Star is part of the Berkshire Hathaway furniture division, which is No. 5 on Furniture/Today's Top 100 with furniture, bedding and accessories sales last year of more than $1.3 billion.
“Business is not easy (this year) by any means,” Kimbrell added. While the retailer is holding its own in a market that is probably a little better off than most areas of the country, Hurricane Ike, which came ashore at nearby Galveston, Texas, in September, “set us back some,” he said. Star's stores were without power and were shut down for five days.
Recently, the company worked with The Furniture Bank of Houston, with its stores serving as drop-off locations for furniture and other donations to support victims of the hurricane.
Kimbrell said the new store is part of Star's strategic plan to upgrade facilities and better align itself with its target customer.
“It's part of our commitment to exceptional tailoring, taste level, quality, and of course outstanding value and good service,” he said.
