Specialty lifestyle furniture retailer I.O. Metro announced that will make its Georgia debut with grand openings at three Atlanta Avenue® locations from September 14 – 16. Since launching in 2005 in Arkansas, I.O. Metro has expanded to 21 locations in eight states, including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The Atlanta launch marks the first time the company will open multiple stores simultaneously. As part of the celebration, HGTV star Vern Yip will greet fans and offer design advice to attendees from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at each store opening.
I.O. Metro offers cutting edge eclectic furniture, art, lighting and accessories at affordable prices. The company offers a range of furniture styles, including an eco-friendly line, the 1492 collection and unique handmade pieces. In addition, I.O. Metro offers custom upholstery options and complimentary in-home design services.
“After success in small and mid-sized markets, we felt it was time to expand to a large city with multiple locations, and The Avenue was a perfect fit for us,” said Jay Howard – chief executive officer, I.O. Metro. “And what better way to help introduce our fresh look and unique furniture and decor than with the support of one of Atlanta’s own – Vern Yip, known for his great ideas and value-conscious designs.”
Yip, who stars in his own show titled “Deserving Design with Vern Yip” on HGTV and appears in the prime time series “HGTV Design Star,” will launch a new special this fall, “Urban Oasis,” in which he scours New York City in search of its best home decor. In addition, Yip operates his own design firm, Vern Yip Designs.
The grand opening celebrations will be Tuesday, September 14 at The Avenue Webb Gin (Snellville), Wednesday, September 15 at The Avenue Forsyth (Cumming) and Thursday, September 16 at The Avenue West Cobb (Marietta) from 6:30 – 9 p.m., and will feature light hors d’oeuvres, a meet and greet with Yip and design tips from I.O. Metro’s expert consultants. For more information or to register to win a $10,000 room makeover from I.O. Metro, visit www.io-metro.com/giveaway.
About I.O. Metro
Headquartered in Northwest Arkansas, I.O. Metro is a specialty lifestyle furniture retailer that sells eclectic furniture and accessories in 21 locations across the Midwest and South. Through its innovative in-house development team and network of sourcing options in 14 countries, I.O. Metro offers a custom line, environmentally responsible eco-metro line and a collection of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. Each I.O. Metro store offers a wide range of custom options with free design service. For information, visit www.io-metro.com.
About The Avenue®: The Avenue, introduced by Cousins Properties Incorporated in 1998, is an outdoor lifestyle center concept with eight locations throughout the Southeast. The Avenue offers a dynamic mix of premier national retailers, select local merchants and specialty restaurants reflective of local demand and fashion trends. The shopping destination features an open-air, pedestrian friendly setting convenient to major metropolitan areas. Shoppers can visit The Avenue at one of its five metro Atlanta locations, or in suburban Nashville, Tenn., suburban Memphis, Tenn. or Viera, Fla. For more information about The Avenue, please visit www.shoptheavenue.com.