Smith & Hawken Opens 45th Store. Deer Park, IL, location newest in growing chain.

Furniture World Magazine

Smith & Hawken today announced that it will open its newest store in Deer Park Town Center, Deer Park, Illinois, on November 23, 2001. The store is the third in the greater Chicago area. "The demand for our high-quality products has continued to grow in northern Illinois," said Smith & Hawken CEO Barry Gilbert. "Opening another store in proximity to our downtown Chicago and Highland Park locations not only expands our ability to serve new customers, but will increase efficiency for the operations of all three stores." The Village of Deer Park, in Chicago's affluent northwest suburbs, is undergoing rapid growth as a corporate center and home to urban commuters. Motorola recently announced that it will build a new research campus in the village, to employ 2,800 high-tech workers. Deer Park Town Center, which opened in October, 2000, has attracted a number of high-end specialty stores poised to take advantage of the region's growth. "Smith & Hawken's line of gardening and garden-inspired products is perfectly suited to new homeowners who want to beautify their surroundings. We anticipate strong sales in this location and look forward to building a lasting relationship with customers in Deer Park," Gilbert said. The Deer Park store is the second Smith & Hawken has opened in 2001. In October, the company debuted a new store in Plano, Texas. The company plans to open additional stores in 2002 as part of its overall growth strategy. Smith & Hawken offers high-quality products for the garden and home through 45 retail locations, a comprehensive catalog, and online at SmithandHawken.com. The company was founded in 1979 in response to organic gardeners' need for well-crafted garden tools. Its product line has since expanded to include heirloom teak furniture, hand-thrown pots, weekend workwear, unusual plants, garden structure and ornaments, and a wealth of gifts inspired by the garden. The company's trade division is a leading supplier to architects, landscape designers, resorts, hotels, and institutions. Smith & Hawken has earned a reputation not only for its quality products known for craftsmanship, authenticity, sustainability, and beauty-but also for providing support and information about gardening to people at all levels of expertise. The Smith & Hawken catalog is a source of inspiration to everyone who loves the garden. The company's stores provide printed brochures on everything from composting to bulb forcing. A complete list of stores and events is accessible on the company's web site, where the resident Garden GuruTM answers questions from curious cultivators all over the world. Smith & Hawken employs more than 800 people in its Novato, CA, corporate offices and its 45 retail stores. Privately held, the company does not release financial data.