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Summer Classics announces Ohio-based Fortin Ironworks as fourth licensee store

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 1/16/2012 12:26:52 PM

Summer Classics has announced that Columbus, Ohio-based retailer Fortin Ironworks will become the fourth Summer Classics licensee store.

Fortin Ironworks, Summer Classics licensee Bob Fortin, owner, Fortin IronworksFortin Ironworks has been a Summer Classics stocking dealer for the past 12 years and is in the process of converting its retail showroom to a Summer Classics licensee store. The retail showroom will operate under the name of Summer Classics Home at Fortin Ironworks and is scheduled to open by April 1.

"From my very first visit to the Summer Classics Home store in Pelham, Alabama, I knew that I had to be the first to bring a store of this caliber to Central Ohio," said Bob Fortin, owner, Fortin Ironworks. "Summer Classics is by far the most style-conscious maker of indoor/outdoor furniture in the industry. Their Home stores are simply beautiful. All of Central Ohio should be excited about the arrival of Summer Classics Home."

Fortin Ironworks is a family-owned and -operated ornamental iron, metal fabrication company with one retail store in Columbus. Founded in 1946 by Joseph Fortin, the company started as a small iron repair shop and now operate out of a 56,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes a 5,500-sq.-ft. retail showroom. The showroom currently offers a variety of the company's iron products with a large display of Summer Classics outdoor furniture.

"Bob and his family have been a great customer of Summer Classics for the last 12 years," said Bew White, president, Summer Classics. "The time was right for Bob to take their retail showroom to the next level and join our licensee program."

Other Summer Classics licensee stores are located in St. Louis; Mobile, Ala.; and Louisville, Ky. Summer Classics also operates seven company-owned stores and has more than 300 independent retailers throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

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