Showroom Move Prompts Landlord Complaint
January 9, 2009
In a battle between High Point landlords, a representative of Hamilton Properties is airing complaints over incentives the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) used to attract tenant Howard Miller.
In a news release Thursday, Lisa Shankle, property manager, Hamilton Properties, said the IHFC, the city's largest showroom building, offered everything from reduced rent to a grand opening party before Howard Miller and its Hekman Furniture unit made the decision to leave its 42,000-square-foot showroom at 200 North Hamilton.
Shankle said the company had more than a year left on its Hamilton Properties lease. She said in the press release that IHFC "offered lease terms with the promise of initial months of free rents and then greatly reduced rents throughout the rest of the term of the lease. It is a desperate attempt in desperate times."
Without commenting on specific perks, Howard Miller Marking Director Mark Siciliano said the company was attracted to the IHFC when it needed additional space because "that's where our customer base spends a majority of their time at Market."
He said Zeeland, Mich.-based company, which also owns Ridgeway Clocks, is making the move ahead of the April Market to gain additional room to show expanded product lines.
"All three companies are very committed to High Point and, in today's environment, we're doing everything we can to really be where our customers are, whether it's in High Point or Las Vegas," Siciliano said. "That's really driving (the company). We're trying to be as targeted as possible for everyone."
He said the company is adding to its popular Ty Pennington lines, which it launched last April. The spring 2009 launch will expand offerings to include upholstery, occasional and case goods that created the need for more space.
IHFC President Tom Mitchell was traveling Thursday and could not be reached.
Shankle said Hamilton Properties was asked by Howard Miller to counter IHFC's offer, but said the company declined "in fairness to all of our tenants who have been loyal over the years."
In a news release Thursday, Lisa Shankle, property manager, Hamilton Properties, said the IHFC, the city's largest showroom building, offered everything from reduced rent to a grand opening party before Howard Miller and its Hekman Furniture unit made the decision to leave its 42,000-square-foot showroom at 200 North Hamilton.
Shankle said the company had more than a year left on its Hamilton Properties lease. She said in the press release that IHFC "offered lease terms with the promise of initial months of free rents and then greatly reduced rents throughout the rest of the term of the lease. It is a desperate attempt in desperate times."
Without commenting on specific perks, Howard Miller Marking Director Mark Siciliano said the company was attracted to the IHFC when it needed additional space because "that's where our customer base spends a majority of their time at Market."
He said Zeeland, Mich.-based company, which also owns Ridgeway Clocks, is making the move ahead of the April Market to gain additional room to show expanded product lines.
"All three companies are very committed to High Point and, in today's environment, we're doing everything we can to really be where our customers are, whether it's in High Point or Las Vegas," Siciliano said. "That's really driving (the company). We're trying to be as targeted as possible for everyone."
He said the company is adding to its popular Ty Pennington lines, which it launched last April. The spring 2009 launch will expand offerings to include upholstery, occasional and case goods that created the need for more space.
IHFC President Tom Mitchell was traveling Thursday and could not be reached.
Shankle said Hamilton Properties was asked by Howard Miller to counter IHFC's offer, but said the company declined "in fairness to all of our tenants who have been loyal over the years."
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You think that's something. What do you think Vegas gave FBI to show out there. We all know FBI can't come up with the dough to pay regular rent.