FURN BRD INTL : Thomasville Drives Retail Momentum with New Stores Slated for Dallas and Chicago

04/04/2011| 09:05am US/Eastern

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Thomasville is opening two new dedicated company-owned and operated stores in Dallas and Chicago scheduled for late April and early May. The retail openings are among the first by the company, a Top 100 furniture manufacturer/retailer, in more than two years. They signal an improving and revitalized retail climate which Thomasville, a premier holding of Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN), intends to maximize.

"We're ready to grow," said Thomasville President Ed Teplitz. "Thomasville is a different company from what we were three years ago, and major markets like Dallas and Chicago present significant opportunities for our brand."

The new Dallas store, scheduled to open in late April, is located in the Galleria area, a vibrant retail district with flagship stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and Williams-Sonoma. The new Thomasville store will be one of two in the market, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex along with an existing Southlake location.

A new store in Chicago's Lincoln Park opens in early May, bringing the Thomasville store count in the Chicago metro area to four. Existing Thomasville stores are in Geneva and Naperville, along with an Orland Park store owned and operated by an independent dealer. Additionally, major regional retailer Walter E. Smithe offers Thomasville in three of its area showrooms - Lincolnshire, Arlington Heights and Glendale Heights.

"Thomasville is a retailer with a variety of footprints and distribution types to best serve the customer," said Teplitz. "With the new store openings, the Thomasville brand will be represented in more than 100 dedicated stores across the United States."

Looking ahead, Thomasville is also finalizing plans for an additional store in the western suburbs of Chicago. A real estate search is currently underway.

About Furniture Brands

Furniture Brands International (NYSE: FBN) is a global operating company that is one of the nation's leading designers, manufacturers and retailers of home furnishings. It markets through a wide range of retail channels, from mass merchant stores to single-brand and independent dealers to specialized interior designers. Furniture Brands serves its customers through some of the best known and most respected brands in the furniture industry, including Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, LaneVenture and Maitland-Smith.

For Thomasville
Dana Hughens, 615-294-1886
d@clairemontcommunications.com

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