Pipefine Patio Furniture

Launching of new Nickelodeon Furniture Line

The opportunity to be in a photo with SpongeBob SquarePants drew thousands of families to Nebraska Furniture Mart here and hundreds more to its flagship store in Omaha, Neb.

Partnering with manufacturer Lea Inds., NFM helped launch the new Lea Nickelodeon Rooms youth bedroom collection at retail, offering free photo ops with the life-size character.

The event started at the retailer’s giant store in Omaha Friday, Aug. 13, with a ribbon cutting and then a charity event before a three-hour meet-and-greet photo session.

It moved to the Kansas City showroom for another charity event Saturday and then a Sunday photo session, which drew some 2,400 families, said Bob Batt, executive vice president of the Omaha-based retailer, part of Berkshire Hathaway’s furniture division. As consumers stood in line waiting for their photo opportunity, the retailer provided entertainment including coloring stations, music and movies, and served Krabby Patty candies.

Batt called it a “perfect family deal” and said he only recently realized the appeal of SpongeBob and the other Nickelodeon characters including Dora the Explorer.

“We had a very good weekend because we had a lot of traffic,” Batt said. He noted that the weather lately has been beautiful, which puts added pressure on retailers to come up with appealing promotions that can bring consumers into stores.

He said it’s too early to say how well the Nickelodeon line is doing.

Ethan Allen plans to immediately expand operations at its solid wood case goods plant here and create 90 jobs.

The company plans to invest $250,000 to expand its production capacity. The plant produces dining and bedroom sets.

Ethan Allen manufactures upholstery furniture in Maiden, N.C. and has about 1,300 employees in North Carolina. They have been operating in Old Fort since 1959 and will start the case goods expansion immediately, a press release said.

The project was made possible in part by a $270,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, a nonrecurring appropriations made by the N.C. General Assembly which helps the state recruit and expand jobs.

“In addition to bringing jobs and investment to Western North Carolina, Ethan Allen’s decision to expand in McDowell County speaks volumes about our strong work force and business climate,” said Gov. Bev Perdue, in a press release.

Editor: Good to see new jobs made available, but sad that they only happen because taxpayers were looted yet again to provide the funds.

Investigation targets polyurethane foam pricing practices

The FBI raided foam supplier Carpenter’s offices this week as part of a U.S. government investigation into the pricing practices related to polyurethane foam products, Carpenter officials told Furniture/Today.

Carpenter officials issued a brief statement after the local newspaper ran a story reporting on the FBI raid, saying that agents took boxes out of the building.

The story said the raid was part of an investigation of a number of polyurethane foam producers, including Carpenter.

Carpenter confirmed the investigation, saying: “In connection with a multi-jurisdiction investigation of the pricing practices to polyurethane foam products, the U.S. government has required that manufacturers of polyurethane foam, including Carpenter Co., produce information and documents. Carpenter Co. is being fully responsive and cooperative with the government to facilitate their review.”

Carpenter did not say if the probe involves foam that Carpenter supplies to the home furnishings industry. The company is a major supplier to a number of industries.

Editor: What? Controls on pricing now? What’s next???

104 Golfers support Roald McDonald Charities

Schneiderman’s Furniture drew 104 golfers, including furniture industry supporters, to its 20th annual Ronald McDonald Charities Golf Tournament held at Oak Marsh Golf Club June 24.

Russ Schneiderman, tournament chair and retired partner in the Lakeville, Minn.-based retailer, said the event raised more than $19,000. That brought total contributions to the Ronald McDonald House to more than $330,000 in the 20 years Schneiderman’s has hosted the tournament.