April 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on April 7, 2011
Sara's Preschool in Ridgewood, N.J., has won furniture components supplier Hickory Springs' EarthCare Challenge II social media competition.
The contest followed five school groups from around the country as they embarked on green initiatives in their communities. Sara's Preschool won after 31 days of contest updates, photos and videos and more than 1,200 fan votes on Facebook.
To win, the preschool developed a month-long curriculum to introduce Kindergarten Enrichment students to the concept of environmental awareness. The class carried out a wide array of projects which included identifying creative ways to repurpose materials, such as planting seeds in used yogurt cups, and holding Recycling Relay races to learn how to sort recyclable goods. In an effort to continue a tradition of eco-education, the students created books filled with their newfound knowledge, which they presented to the younger class.
"We congratulate each of our finalists who have made tremendous achievements with their students, making it very difficult to pick a winner," said Hickory Springs Executive Vice President Dwayne Welch. "Sara Bauer, the team leader at Sara's Preschool, really stood out for her tireless efforts combining a multi-pronged approach to her 'March Green Up' theme, along with updates which showed consistent creativity and progress through the page."
In the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22, Hickory Springs, Hickory, N.C., will present the school with $1,000 to help fund future environmental learning initiatives, along with a sofa set manufactured by Craftmaster Furniture and featuring Hickory Springs' line of EarthCare Inside components. The furniture will be used to furnish the school's common area and stage.
The company first launched the EarthCare Challenge in 2010, bringing to life the quest of young adults seeking to live more sustainably. This year's contest broadened the company's reach through schools.
April 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 7, 2011
Students from High Point University got the chance to opportunity to meet designer and artist Lillian August at High Point Furniture Market this week.
August is a New York-based designer with a furniture line at Hickory White, and she owns five up-scale furniture stores across the country. The students had lunch with August in the Hickory White showroom at market and discussed her line and the furniture industry.
Students made connections at this furniture market by working for some major furniture companies during the event, including Lee Industries and Miles Talbott Furniture. From assisting in showroom set up to working directly with buyers, students gained professional experience and met with champions of the industry such as August throughout the week.
April 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on April 7, 2011
Ashley Furniture Homestores in Logan Town Centre and Johnstown, Pa., will repopen under new ownership in May, the Altoona Mirror reported Wednesday.
Olean, N.Y.-based home furnishings retailer Wellsville Carpet Town acquired the stores, which had been owned by Roomful Express. WCTI already has six Ashley Furniture HomeStores in New York.
"We want the people to understand we are new and different. We are an entirely different company taking over," said Timothy Quinn, WCTI managing partner, in the report.
The Altoona and Johnstown stores, which closed in March, are under renovation and restocking with new goods.
April 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Outdoor Furniture on April 7, 2011
Home furnishings retailer Art Van Furniture is taking the indoors outside with its Art's Backyard merchandising strategy.
With the arrival of spring Art Van is providing more than 1,000 items for outdoor living. Art Van Elslander, Art Van founder and chairman, said today's outdoor products are engineered to hold up better to the outdoor elements.
"That means outdoor furniture will look as good in 20 years as it does today with no or low maintenance," said Art Van Elslander, Art Van Furniture founder and chairman, "plus, there has never been a wider selection of sectional sofas with deep seats, oversized chairs, ottomans with extra storage, coffee tables and end tables, plus accessories to match the fabric on the cushions of on the furniture."
Art's Backyard has the looks and quality of the expensive high end catalogs at Art Van prices and features the largest in-stock outdoor furniture in the state, with more than a 1,000 items including collections from Michigan made Lloyd/Flanders and Woodard as well as Jimmie's Rustics and Treasure Garden Inc.
The Warren, Mich., retailer sees chat groups or fire bowl sets as the hottest items for this summer.
"They're perfect on a patio, deck or backyard and can be both a table or an atmospheric feature," said Jim Sica, director of seasonal products for Art Van/ Art's Backyard.
April 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in High Point on April 7, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4482169210&z=1250249030
The chairman of the High Point Market Authority said leaders of the agency will be deliberate in choosing a successor to authority President Brian Casey, who will leave the job at the end of this month.
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