Cinde W. Ingram — Casual Living,
Premarket held last week

Although retail traffic was light at the July 31-Aug. 1 West Coast Casual Furniture Premarket, some exhibitors were pleased with their opportunity to spend unhurried time with major Southern California accounts as well as a few other Western retailers. The show’s dates overlapped those of the Las Vegas Market. 


      “It’s the best two days in our three years” at this show, Telescope Casual President Henry Vanderminden IV said as his crew was packing its temporary booth. A sales rep for another manufacturer said “the majors that I deal with have been through.”
      Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based Rattan Specialties previewed its simulated rattan Nuvine Collection, which offers the look and texture of vine but was developed for outdoor use. 
      Wanda Technology received positive feedback from retailers about its umbrella that incorporates music via an iPod or AM/FM radio and a dimming center light. That product and a moveable umbrella base, which also debuted, should be seen again at next month’s Casual Market in Chicago.
      Other major umbrella manufacturers Treasure Garden and Galtech also showed their innovative shade products and styles as did Bungalow by E-Z Up during the two-day premarket, held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif.  
      Retailers got their first look at Veranda Collections, a new cast aluminum furniture manufacturer offering French Country looks and classic designs. Veranda Collections President Gary Parrott said the Bonita Springs, Fla.-based company is focused on upper-end casual furniture dealers and designers, the same sort of discerning customers he served when he worked for Pompeii and Pavilion. “It’s not about quantity of dealers, it’s about quality,” Parrott said.