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NY Tabletop Market Prepares For Buyers
It is business as usual for the 2004 Fall New York Tabletop Market Oct. 30th through Nov. 4th, 2004 -- except for the fact that tenants of 225 Fifth Avenue will soon be packing their bags for a new home.

Home Sweet Home
Long known simply as, "The Gift Building," 225 is situated on Fifth Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets north of Madison Square Park and has housed the gift industry for more than 50 years. But the search for a new home began last year following the building's sale and planned conversion to residential use.
"After an exhaustive search, we have narrowed it down to 7 West 34th Street," 225 tenant Richard Cohen said." It's a building currently owned by Vornado Realty Trust, the parent company of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and run by Christopher Kennedy. The capacity is 25 percent bigger, which would allow all the tenants here to move, plus adjacent tenants in this neighborhood. Manufacturers who haven't shown in New York could even move in."
Cohen is a member of the 225 Fifth Avenue Association site location task force. The association, which represents approximately 115 gift industry companies currently located at 225 Fifth Avenue, also worked with Cushman & Wakefield to find the new location.
"In addition to the building being larger and owned by a merchandise mart company, the building will be run by people who are in the professional mart business," Cohen said. "My feeling is that this is a positive move for the building and many showrooms in the immediate area -- whether it is 230 Fifth Avenue or 41 Madison."
David Zrike, president of the 225 Fifth Avenue Association, called the new space search a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world-class mart in New York to rival those in Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta.
Negotiations on the new site were still underway at press time. Cohen said the task force hoped to have details finalized by early September with an official announcement to follow. The new midtown center would be called The New York Gift Mart. The gift industry in New York generates more than a billion dollars in revenue annually and attracts national and international buyers to five industry shows a year. MMPI officials were not available for comment.
MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events, and conferences each year and currently oversees another New York Market, The Architects & Designers Building located at 150 E. 58th Street.

The Final Four
The tenants association, along with Cushman & Wakefield initially looked for approximately 400,000 square feet of space for existing tenants from The Gift Building, as well as other parties who expressed interest in relocating to a new mart. The association narrowed its choices to four locations in Manhattan before selecting the 34th Street location. The building, designed in 1901 as Orbach's Department Store, was renovated in 1988 and currently houses two tenants -- Fairchild Publications and HIP. If the deal goes through as negotiated, 225 tenants would take over 11 floors of the building that includes six elevators to hustle buyers to and from the 9,000- to 13,000-square-foot showrooms.
"The building was originally built as a department store, so it has very high ceilings. It also has all the mechanical upgrades necessary for the tenants and is equipped with new technology," Cohen said. "It also will provide easier access to the Javitz Center. It's accessible for members of other allied industries and it's a location everyone knows."
Cohen expects tenants to move into the building as early as January, filling up two floors at a time with similar progression each following month. The two co-existing locations will create some extra work for buyers during 2005's gift shows, but for this October's market, tenants want to be sure buyers know it's still "business as usual."

2004 Fall Market
And still the show must go on. The 2004 New York Tabletop Market will be in full swing at 225 Fifth Avenue, 41 Madison, and 230 Fifth Avenue showrooms. While details on events and amenities for 225 Fifth Avenue buyers were a bit sketchy at press time, 225's VP of Marketing Su Hilty assures buyers will have a multitude of new products and market resources to discover.
At 41 Madison, a host of events and amenities will occur, including: limousines courtesy Weddingbells/WeddingChannel.com each afternoon in front of Forty One Madison at 4:30 p.m. that will be ready to transport market-goers to major cross-street intersections up and downtown (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.); Bridal Guide's "Caffe Italia" will provide light fare throughout the day beginning with breakfast savories, lunch snacks, and afternoon sweets (Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.); the Buyer's Lounge on Level A will provide access to major trade and consumer magazines in the home, design, bridal, and epicurean fields. Also, phones, restrooms, and free coat-checking services during the market are also available during building hours, 9:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The dish
Fortessa and Schott Zwiesel Form Strategic Partnership
Schott Zwiesel AG of Germany recently purchased an equity stake in Fortessa, Inc., forming a strategic marketing transaction designed to leverage the strengths of the two companies. Schott Zwiesel is a leading producer of high-quality crystalline glassware, and Fortessa is a diversified developer and marketer of tableware.
Under the agreement, Sterling, Va.-based Fortessa began marketing Schott Zwiesel products to the U.S. retail trade and to the U.S. foodservice trade as of October 1, 2004, the companies said in a joint announcement.
"Schott Zwiesel is truly the world's best glassware. The technical expertise at the factory allows us to offer top-quality design and value that meet the needs of our market. Consumers now understand quality in glassware and demand that quality in glassware. With Schott Zwiesel, we can offer professional design for everyday appreciation and enjoyment," said Fortessa's Scott Hamberger.
"Our companies form a seamless fit," said Dr. Andreas Karl Buske, member of Schott Zwiesel's board. "Our quality glassware dovetails perfectly with Fortessa's philosophy of leading the way in tableware -- and with its emphasis on value, craftsmanship, and trend-setting designs," Dr. Buske said.
Based in Zwiesel in the Bavarian Forest, one of the world's prime glass-manufacturing centers, the famed German company has been a leader in the art of glass-making for more than 100 years, and is credited with many industry "firsts," including the first fully-automated production of blown-glass stemware in 1967. In the 1990's, the company was the first glassmaker to produce lead- free crystal glass of superb quality and brilliance. Its latest breakthrough is the patented Tritan® technique for producing extra-strong crystalline stemware. In 2001, Schott Zwiesel was purchased from its larger industrial parent company.
Fortessa, an integrated designer, developer, and marketer of high-quality tableware and accessories, started in 1993 as a successful purveyor of fine porcelain dinnerware. The company grew rapidly, adding other tabletop categories -- glassware, flatware, hollowware, specialty glass dinnerware, and accessories -- for a "total table" operation.

Federated, May, Lenox, and Waterford Fined $2.9 million
Federated Department Stores Inc., May Department Stores Co., and the makers of Lenox china and Waterford crystal have agreed to pay $2.9 million to settle allegations they conspired to keep the upscale tableware out of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.'s stores.
According to national news reports, the settlement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer stipulates Federated will pay a $900,000 civil penalty and May will pay $800,000, Lenox Inc. will pay $700,000, and Waterford Wedgwood U.S.A., $500,000.
The companies allegedly conspired to restrict competition by pressuring the manufacturers in 2001 to keep Bed Bath & Beyond from selling Lenox and Waterford tableware. Federated, owner of Bloomingdale's and Macy's, said the fine wouldn't have a significant effect on earnings. May, which owns Lord & Taylor, has no estimate yet on how the settlement may affect profit, spokeswoman Sharon Bateman said. Neither company admitted wrongdoing.

Lenox to Close Dansk Retail Outlet Stores
Lenox Inc. has announced that it is closing all of Dansk's 41 retail outlet stores located in 23 states across the country as their leases expire.
According to a statement released by the company, the closings are part of Lenox's attempt to shift the distribution and marketing strategy for the Dansk brand to focus efforts on strengthening its wholesale channel.
The stores will begin closing in January and will continue doing so over the next two years. The company said that all Dansk retail associates would be considered for other positions within the company or provided with a fair benefit package to assist with their transition.
In other news, Mitchell Massey is the new chief marketing and brand officer at Lenox. He heads the brand leadership and marketing organization, which will be responsible for creating and leading the brand strategy and direction for all brands in all channels. He reports to Jay Hanauer, chief executive officer. Massey was chairman and CEO of Museumshop.com and president of G.H. Bass Direct and G.H. Bass International. Most recently, Massey founded Consumer Strategy Group Inc., which provides thought leadership and strategic development for consumer brands.

Enesco Acquires Dartington Crystal
Itasca, Illinois-based Enesco Group, Inc. recently acquired Dartington Crystal Limited, a designer and manufacturer of a full range of uncut crystal products, such as glassware, bowls, vases, candleholders, and giftware, and is headquartered in Torrington, Devon, United Kingdom. Currently, the company's products are sold through department stores and upscale retail specialty stores.
Enesco Limited paid approximately $7 million (U.S.) in cash to acquire substantially all of Dartington Crystal's assets. Dartington Crystal, a highly regarded name in the uncut crystal market in the U.K., generated sales of approximately $16.8 million (U.S.) in 2003.
The acquisition provides Enesco with an entry point into the uncut crystal market in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Market trends in the U.K. are moving towards contemporary formats and away from the traditional patterned designs, creating a significant growth opportunity for Enesco. The U.K. glassware manufacturing industry is renowned for its quality and has a number of prestigious brands. Exports are primarily to the U.S. and include high-end home décor and jewelry retailers.
"We are delighted to have secured the acquisition of Dartington Crystal," said John Hammond, chairman of Enesco Limited. "Dartington is a highly respected brand in the industry, and this acquisition will allow us to build a new crystal glass division around these innovative products."
In other news, Enesco Board Member George Ditomassi, former chairman, president, and CEO of the Milton Bradley Company, was elected to serve as interim CEO of Enesco Group, Inc. Tom Bradley, who served as CFO and interim CEO, has resigned from Enesco to pursue other interests.
The company will continue its search for a permanent CEO and initiate a search for a Chief Financial Officer.

DeSantis Designs Brings Mexican Designer Stateside
Designer Ron DeSantis, president of New York-based Ceramica Varm LLC, has opened a new studio that focuses on the generation market, creating contemporary and retro designs for the kitchen and home that will extend into the future.
"The spirit and fresh infusion of style and color propels us beyond traditional boundaries of design. Our direction takes a step beyond the basics in innovation and product design to ignite a lifestyle that is here today and accelerating into the future," DeSantis noted.
Mark Koles, president of BHR Associates LLC., Cross River, N.Y., has joined the studio. For the past 20 years Mr. Koles has been with the Lenox, Gorham, Dansk group, heading the Product Development Divisions of dinnerware and ceramic gifts. Working with top designers, he had developed key staples in the Dansk product line for both the retail and wholesale divisions. He brings with him concepts in form and design using an assortment of mediums from flatware, to woodenware, to glassware, to metal works, to ceramics.
Artist and designer Ricardo Barrera has been creating ethnic designs using colors and motifs from Central America for Ceramica Varm LLC for over 10 years. Drawing on his Mexican heritage to capitalize on the rise in the Hispanic population, Mr. Barrera's work has grown in popularity due to his flair for unique form and design in bakeware, dinnerware, and home accessories.
"Mr. Barrera has joined the DeSantis DeSigns studio and we look forward to his continued input and creations for the tabletop sector," said Mr. DeSantis. Papagallo and Limonada, Ricardo Barrera's newest collections, will be released February 2005.
Other designers working with DeSantis DeSigns include Sandro Catani, Franco Bucci, Kazuhiko Tomita, and Marco Croci. DeSantis DeSigns is located at 616 Fayette Avenue, Mamaroneck, N.Y. For more information, call 914-381-6382.

Hues 'n' Brews Announces New Catalog
The Hues 'n' Brews line has been completely reworked, and includes the introduction of 400 new SKUs. The concept, which features color-coordinated items for the brewing and serving of coffee and tea, includes five color palettes. Each palette consists of a number of different items in a coordinated color scheme.
The following rep groups have been newly appointed to present Hues 'n' Brews in their areas: Martin & Associates (TOLA States), Synergy (Southeast States), Provenza and Associates (Ill./Wis.), Reid & Johnson (Ohio/Ind./W.Pa./Ky.), Urban Source (Metro NY), The Kaplan Group (Upstate NY), Gold Marketing (New England), Home Directions (Kan./Mo./Iowa/Neb.). For further information, contact Tanya Libang (e-mail: tlibang@huesnbrews.com, toll free: 800-553-8853, fax 661-702-9887.)

Red and White Kitchen Company Expands
Mount Kisco, N.Y.-based Red and White Kitchen Company, a five-year-old kitchen textiles company specializing in vintage-look designs of the '40's and '50's, took over a new 3,100-foot office-warehouse space in its current location at 40 Radio Circle.
"We still plan to hold meetings at our chrome and formica '50's dinette table," says Carol Siegel, co-owner, "but now we can fit all areas of our operation under one roof."
Red and White Kitchen Company has kitchen/gourmet reps in the Northwest (Murdock & White), New York (RJM Trading), and in Northern California (Kahn Kahn). Sharon Smiley Co., Anne Mcgilvray Co., and J. Johnson and Co. service gift accounts. For information, contact 877-914-7440.

ABBIAMO tutto Adds Leather to Lineup
ABBIAMO tutto, an American importer of fine handmade Italian gifts and accessories for the home and garden, has introduced a genuine leather tabletop collection this season. Inspired by the luxuriousness of the buttery-soft material and the hues of the Tuscan countryside, the Virginia-based designer retooled its home accessory line to create leather goods in vibrant decorator colors they unveiled during the summer gift shows.
ABBIAMO tutto's all-new leather collection for the home consists of 12" x 18" heat-resistant leather placemats (currently available in orange, light blue, and chocolate brown) that easily fit inside 13" x 20" leather-trimmed wooden trays available in Italian oak with orange trim or walnut with chocolate brown trim. Also available are leather napkin rings in coordinating colors. All leather pieces are saddle stitched, and the placemats are fabric-backed to protect surfaces from heat.
For more information on ABBIAMO tutto, call 866-714-9161, or visit www.E-abbiamotutto.com. High-resolution digital photos and/or product samples are available upon request.

Pyrex glass Serves up Tabletop
Pyrex glass has introduced Pyrex Simple Elegance, a contemporary collection of stylish serveware. The new collection will be available in two patterns, Polka Dot and Waves, treatments that add visual interest to the serveware's graceful lines. Simple Elegance will be marketed in three-piece sets that include a 16" oval platter, a 2-quart round bowl and a 2-quart rectangular dish. The set pieces will also be available as open stock with the additional of a 15" rectangular divided platter and a 2-quart oval bowl.

Fenton Art Glass Celebrates its 100th Anniversary
In honor of its 100th anniversary, Fenton Art Glass will offer enthusiasts a variety of ways, including family signings, an auction of significant historical pieces, and various e-Bay, QVC, and Lenox exclusives over the next 15 months. The festivities will continue through the first half of 2005, culminating with a large celebration at the Fenton factory in Williamstown, W.Va., during the first week of August.
Fenton is known for its wide range of colors, handpainting, and handcrafting. Three generations of Fenton family members remain active in the business and are proud to continue an American glassmaking tradition begun in 1905. For more details about the Fenton Art Glass Company's 100th anniversary, log onto the company's newly refurbished site, www.fentonartglass.com.

Tabletalk
"What item in your Tabletop Department took you by surprise and sold more than you expected this year?"

Various Styles of Espresso Cups
"We are overwhelmed by the number of espresso cups that we are selling. We now offer 8 SKUs that vary in size and price point. In addition to their typical use to serve espresso, they are being bought to serve soup 'samplings' at dinner parties."
Simone Mayer, Owner of Miami Beach-based real.life.basic
Riedel Stemware
"Customers are becoming more sophisticated and no longer just want one all-purpose wine glass. More and more, customers are interested in choosing the best glass for the type of wine they are serving. In fact, they are purchasing more than one type or shape of glass."
Doug Huemoeller, President of
Kitchen Window, Minneapolis, MN
Strahl Acrylic Glasses
"We sell some serving pieces, and salad bowls, etc. but we don't do dishes, or flatware, or crystal or even stemware. We do sell, and are showing an increase in sales of Strahl acrylic glasses, and of Tervis Tumblers. In the category, and I'm not really sure they belong in the category; our biggest dollar volume is in Lamson & Goodnow Counter Protectors (big Hot Spots). Everything in silicone is selling, it seems. How long will it be before someone figures out how to line cookware with silicone, or make a protective cover for glass carafes out of silicone to keep the contents hot and protect the glass?"
Mike Sackett, Kitchen Affairs, Evansville, IN

Private Label Branded Stainless Steel Serveware
"They are a kitchen STOCK brand called NEO -- high polish, contemporary design, stainless steel. I think of them as simply elegant and able to fit into all home décor or table settings. Our top seller always surprises me, it is a pie server. The second best-selling item is a stainless steel service ladle."
Bev Durvin, Canadian-based
kitchen STOCK Inc.

Rosenthal & Riedel Stemware
"Bordeaux and cabernet stems from Rosenthal and Riedel are big sellers. These products are not just tasting glasses for wine connoisseurs -- folks are setting the table with them.
Willard Doxey, Housewares Buyer for Chapel Hill, N.C-based A Southern Season

Classic Coffee's Espresso/Cappuccino Sets
"Our best new tabletop item is the espresso/cappuccino cup and saucer sets from Classic Coffee. They are attractive, well packaged, and reasonably priced. Our customers are grabbing them for gifts as fast as we can get product. The only downside is that the vendor seems to have a problem getting the sets into the country and shippig them out in a timely fashion."
Janet Ostrow, Owner of Premier Gourmet, Buffalo, NY