Robb & Stucky International announced that it’s back with the grand opening of a new 60,000-square-foot design studio and retail showroom in Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday, Jan. 12, under the leadership of Steven Lush, President of Robb & Stucky International.
It’s been a part of South Florida furniture history for nearly 100 years. Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were among its first clients. It’s survived furniture fads, the Great Depression, the Great Recession, hurricanes and even a very public bankruptcy.
“This is a new beginning for a great retail brand,” says Lush. Since the acquisition of the Robb & Stucky name and intellectual properties in March 2011, Lush says the focus has been on restoring the brand equities inherent in the Robb & Stucky name.
“We are reinventing Robb & Stucky,” says Lush, “with a great team and smart strategies that are relevant for today’s consumers. We have hired many of the employees that made a significant contribution to the previous Robb & Stucky, and have also brought in several key executives from outside the former company to bring a fresh perspective. We look forward to creating many more jobs as our growth continues.”
“As consumers ourselves and business people too, it’s our view that the historic economic events of the last few years have changed the way people shop and buy furniture,” says Lush. “Home is still the center of our personal universe; we are fortunate to be in a category that will always be important to consumers. The challenge is to ensure that Robb & Stucky meets consumer needs and expectations.”
He adds that as the recovery continues, consumers will expect more value, more style, more selection and more authenticity in the shopping experience.
“We believe our Fort Myers showroom is unlike anything else in Florida,” says Lush. “We’ve created a store that is friendly, welcoming and easy to shop. Our buyers have chosen the very best products from America, Canada, Europe and around the world. The merchandise is displayed in seven unique lifestyle shops – each one is an adventure into a design perspective. And our selection is not just about style – we offer a variety of prices as well. We believe great style doesn’t have to be expensive.”
The store will offer expert interior design assistance, a longtime staple of the Robb & Stucky experience, but with a new twist. “Our customers are passionate about their homes, but their furniture and service needs may vary,” explains Lush. “In our new model, design services are right-sized for the customer, so whether the object of desire is a great lamp or a new home makeover, Robb & Stucky designers are ready, willing and able to assist.”
About Robb & Stucky: One of the most prestigious names in home furnishings, Robb & Stucky was founded in 1915 by Virgil Robb and W.R. Lee. Harry Stucky joined the company in 1917 and the company formally became Robb & Stucky in 1925. Today the company is owned by the family of Samuel Kuo, founder and CEO of Samson Holding, and back on track for growth in the U.S. and internationally. The first, new flagship store is located at 13170 South Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers, Fla. For hours of operations and more information, call 239-415-2800 or visit www.RobbStuckyIntl.com.