Linder's Furniture, a Southern California home furnishings, mattress and consumer electronics chain, has announced plans to open its second superstore in Cathedral City. The move marks the second phase of the 28 year-old Southland company’s expansion plans for 2010 and comes a month after opening their first superstore showroom in Rancho Cucamonga. At a time when the national job rate continues to decline and with Riverside County unemployment rates among the state’s highest, Linder’s creation of local jobs couldn’t have come at a better time for the County.
According to data provided earlier this month by the California Employment Development Department, the unemployment rate in Riverside County rose to 15.1 percent in January, with unemployment numbers reaching over 137,000. Locally the numbers are even more staggering, with Mecca unemployment rates at 29 percent, Coachella 23.4 percent, Desert Hot Springs 21 percent and Indio 16.4 percent; and with heavy layoffs anticipated by many State agencies in the months ahead, these numbers are expected to increase. Cathedral City Mayor, Kathleen DeRosa couldn’t be more pleased to have as vibrant a retailer as Linder’s coming to Cathedral City. “We thank, Linder’s for choosing Cathedral City for their new home. We know they will do an outstanding job in generating revenue for the city. We welcome the sales tax that will directly have a positive impact on Cathedral City’s general fund. Of course we are very excited that, Linder’s is able to create new jobs in this economy.”
The locally-owned furniture company’s expansion reflects their confidence in Cathedral City, as well as the entire Coachella Valley’s ability to rebound and eventually recapture the double-digit growth that typified the region just a few short years ago. In explaining the reasoning behind holding a recent local Job Fair, Company President Eric Foucrier stated, “we wanted to open the job process up to local residents who have been hardest hit by the economy and have lost their jobs.”
The Grand Opening ceremony, scheduled to take place April 9th at 10:30 am at the new superstore showroom located at 67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City, will be attended by area residents, local political and business leaders, home furnishings industry representatives, local media reporters as well as company executives. In addition to a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, Linder’s plans also include a $50,000 cash giveaway contest, live radio remotes, food, beverages, a special presentation of Mitsubishi’s ground-breaking 3D home theater technology and, according to company founder and CEO Phil Linder, “we also plan to give out a limited number of free computer netbooks (a $299 value)—while supplies last during this very special grand opening event.”
To add to the excitement, Linder’s Furniture has teamed up with Sealy, North America’s No. 1 mattress brand for the worldwide release its new line of specialty mattresses, Embody™ by Sealy, at the grand opening.
The new Embody line was created for those seeking the healthiest rest for body and mind. The innovative line offers a sleek, contemporary design of progressive memory foam and latex foam mattresses to provide a product that feels as good as it is for you and provide consumers with a choice of clean, breathable products for a healthy sleep environment. Both products deliver comfort, support and breathability in the fabrics and foams for the health-conscious consumer.
“The fact that Coachella Valley residents are such health-conscious consumers was one of the major reasons Linder’s was selected to debut Sealy’s new line of innovative sleep products,” said Eric Foucrier, president, Linder’s Furniture. “Of course, Linder’s reputation as a major retailer with strong ties to the community also played a role in securing this unique opportunity.”
The Embody mattress is made with antimicrobial fabric, allergen-resistant foams and provides a natural shield against dust mites and microbes. The entire line is safe and free from formaldehyde and ozone depleting chemicals. Each sleep set is constructed carefully as one single piece to ensure layers work in unison to fully support the body and ensure long-lasting comfort and longevity.
The new superstore, according to Foucrier, “allows us to offer far greater selections and more customizable options—providing, as our company mission statement states, our customers with a [truly] enjoyable and professional experience.” The expanded showrooms will also allow for greater diversity in styles as well as the ability to merchandise in a completely different way, stated Foucrier. Linder’s Furniture, former winner of the Western Home Furnishing Associations “Furniture Retailer of the Year Award,” currently operates nine showrooms throughout Southern California.
Company Profile:
Established in 1980
CEO: Phil Linder
President: Eric Foucrier
CFO: Scott Schaldenbrand
Marketing Director: Ross Steiner
Locations: 9 showrooms (Torrance, Westminster, Fullerton, Laguna Hills, Cerritos, Murrieta, Costa Mesa, Rancho Cucamonga and Cathedral City)
Award Winner, Furniture Retailer of the Year, Western Home Furnishings Association