— Furniture Today,
BATON ROUGE, La. — Unveiling a new name and brand identity, retailer Kornmeyers has opened a 30,000-square-foot addition to its showroom here.
 

Kornmeyers HomeSmart, the new name and brand created by strategic design firm Grid2, adorns the store’s new exterior and interior.

A 150-foot atrium, also designed by Grid2, creates a prominent entrance for the 126-year-old, fifth-generation, family-owned business. The store also has a new customer reception area, a new floor layout and an upholstery gallery. Colorful, oversized graphics and consumer-inspired photos are displayed.

Key suppliers include Hickory Hill, Rowe, Hickory Chair, Hooker, Klaussner, Lane, Sealy and Sherrill.
 
Kornmeyers kept the original 60,000-square-foot store open during construction, which began last fall.

On hand for the champagne-and-roses reception were Harold Bahlinger Sr., Kornmeyers board chairman and outgoing president, and the newly named president and general manager, Rose Mary Williams.

Store officials said they based the decision to expand on market research conducted by Al Wight of Strategic Decisions. The retailer expects to complete store and warehouse renovations early next year, when a grand opening event will be held.