CONOVER, N.C. — Furniture Brands International is purchasing at least three Drexel Heritage stores from


dealer Hendricks Furniture Group, according to sources familiar with the transaction.

Hendricks Furniture Group, a Top 100 retailer, has been one of the largest Drexel dealers. Furniture Brands and Drexel officials have declined to comment on the transaction. Hendricks officials declined comment and referred questions to Drexel Heritage.

Several sources also told Furniture/Today that the Hendricks may convert another Drexel showroom in North Carolina to a Boyles Distinctive Furniture showroom.

Hendricks had opened at least six Drexel units since November 2003, when it announced an expanded alliance with Furniture Brands International, parent of Drexel Heritage and also of Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Henredon and Maitland-Smith. Hendricks had operated Drexel stores in Charlotte, High Point, Raleigh and Hickory, N.C., Fort Myers, Fla., and Greenville, S.C.

Drexel Heritage has 53 stores in the United States. At a September conference for securities analysts, Furniture Brands International Chairman Mickey Holliman said they hope to build the network to 100 units.