Pride Family Brands and MMPI ink deal for 15th floor showroom

Relocated showroom will open in January 2013

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 5/22/2012 9:37:07 AM

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Pride Family Brands has finalized an agreement with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. for the relocation of its company showroom to the 15th floor of the historic Chicago Merchandise Mart.

Currently located on the 17th floor, Pride's relocation is part of The Mart's anticipated reconfiguration of the casual outdoor furnishing floors, intended to offer designers and buyers a seamless experience while shopping the outdoor showrooms.

"For years, Pride Family Brands has been committed to maintaining a major presence within The Mart and are excited about the renewed focus that is being given to our category with the redesign of the showroom floors," said Steve Lowsky, president of Pride Family Brands. "With the relocation, Pride will hold a prominent position on the newly designed 15th floor and offer our buyers an 11,000-square-foot space with expanded features for showcasing our products."

The space is slated to be completed by December 2012 and will be open for the first time to buyers in January 2013.

"The reconfiguration of our casual showrooms has been in response to requests from buyers, tenants and the International Casual Furnishings Association over the years," said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president of MMPI. "We are excited to have Pride Family Brands' five year lease extension and their commitment to a 15th floor showroom."

MMPI has been a steward of consistent growth for the casual industry and this move will increase the existing 250,000 square feet of space by 10%.

The Merchandise Mart is securing design visionary Gary Lee to bring his award-winning creativity to the design of the corridors of the 15th floor. An existing stairwell connecting the 15th and 16th floors will be complemented by a dedicated stairwell connecting the 14th and 15th floors, improving flow between the casual and residential showrooms.

For more information about Pride Family Brands, visit pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.