Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart is an old name with a new twist. After 126 years in business here, the furniture retail store started by German immigrant Jacob Kornmeyer gets its most radical makeover to date with a new moniker, a 50-foot glass-enclosed store façade, and an enlarged and updated shopper-friendly floor plan by GRID2, a leading New York-based retail design firm.
The vibrant re-design is executed by Baton Rouge architects Bani, Carville & Brown and general contractor Harvey Honore Enterprises.
A day-long festival will inaugurate the store’s Grand Re-Opening on Saturday, September 16, 2006, and in-store registration for Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart $25,000 Designer Makeover Giveaway. The expanded 90,000-square-foot home furnishings retailer and longtime community patron invites Baton Rouge and its surrounding neighbors to participate in an appropriately themed series of “Before and After” events and charitable tie-ins, to be held at its Florida Boulevard location through October.
Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart is owned and managed by fourth- and fifth-generation family members of Jacob Kornmeyer. The impressive furniture retail showroom located at 7643 Florida Blvd. is ideally situated as a furniture-shopping destination in this revitalized area of the city. Kornmeyer’s decision to renovate is the result of a comprehensive market study, conducted by Georgia research firm Strategic Decisions.
Saturday, July 15, 2006, 9am -2pm, “Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart Paint the Fence” Contest for Children: Art on Paper, Storytelling, Crafts, Face painting, Refreshments and Prizes.
In the spirit of Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ kids K-8th grade are invited to experience Alexandria, Louisiana storyteller Sylvia Yancy Davis’ rousing renditions of Tom’s Mississippi river adventures throughout the day, at Kornmeyer’s.
Children may submit, or create on site, art on paper related to one of the following historical themes: Mississippi riverboats, “Our State Capitol”, or, “Louisiana, Then and Now,” for chances to win prizes including the grand prize of a Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart youth bedroom accessories makeover. Additional prizes include Kornmeyer’s store gift certificates and tickets to Baton Rouge family and cultural attractions.
Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart events are planned through the fall:
Saturday, August 19, 9am – 2pm, “Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart Community Timecapsule Event.”
Visitors to the store may submit vintage and contemporary items for consideration in the store’s 126-anniversay time capsule.
Saturday, September 16, 9am – 5pm, “Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart Grand Re-Opening and Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser Kick-off,” including in-store registration for “Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart $25,000 Designer Makeover Giveaway.”
A silent auction of Kornmeyer’s furniture items benefits Habitat for Humanity.
Saturday, October 14, 2pm – 4pm, “Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart $25,000 Designer Makeover Winner Event.” Four weeks of dramatic suspense end with the announcement of Kornmeyer’s lucky winner from the Baton Rouge area.
Jacques Pourciau; Kornmeyer’s HomeSmart: 225-926-0905
Leslie Newby; PR and media relations: 336-370-4623; 336-207-4623 (cell)