Natuzzi expands in US
Italian leather furniture maker Natuzzi has made South Florida its hub for expansion in the US, with plans for at least two more locations in the works.
Natuzzi Italia plans to open its first flagship gallery in Florida in September at the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale.
Joe Mirabile, Florida director for Natuzzi Italia, said the company is looking at Dadeland for its next location, which the company hopes to have open by the end of this year. It is also scouting locations around PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach County, where Mr Mirabile said he hopes to have a store open next year.Natuzzi’s first American flagship store is in New York, which served as a test market.
Though the store at the Galleria will be 8,000 square feet, and the Aventura one 4,200, the average footprint the company is looking for is 5,000 square feet.
About a decade ago, Falls Leather Gallery, which had showrooms across South Florida, was the largest retailer of Natuzzi furniture before it filed for Chapter 11.
Rather than partner with another furniture store, Natuzzi decided to have the stores branded with its own name, Mr Mirabile said.
