From Russia to Plains, sold on LEATHER FURNITURE
April 16th, 2007 Category Furniture, Leather FurnitureArtur Mirzoyan has visited his native Russia several times each year since moving to the United States in 1992.
But a trip last fall to see his ailing mother involved more than socializing; it led to the start of a new business venture that is bringing a Russian-made line of high-quality leather furniture to the U.S. for the first time. Examples are on display in the A&R Luxury Leather showroom at 1325 N. River St.
Mirzoyan and Richard Heffron lent their first names’ initials to the equal partnership that is getting an assist from Irina Mirzoyan, Artur’s wife. Before the business was established they all visited the Falke Mobel factory located in Kaliningrad, in the Baltic region of Russia, and came away impressed.
“You could eat off the floors,†Heffron said about the multistory factory that looks from the outside like a modern office building. “They really have a lot of pride in what they do.â€
“We were absolutely amazed by the quality,†Mirzoyan said, obviously enthusiastic about the find.
Because it is in a free economic zone, Falke Mobel enjoys tax advantages as well as easy access to European markets, where its furniture has been sold since 1995.
The furniture, which he said is priced competitively with domestic high-end names, is constructed using solid hardwoods, full-grain Italian leather and fire-retardant foam seat cushioning from the supplier to the BMW and Mercedes-Benz automobile brands.
Irina Mirzoyan said the same quality leather is used throughout each piece, whereas cheaper furniture might use thinner leather or even vinyl on all but the seating surfaces. As for durability, she pointed to a couch that had been a showroom sample in Russia for more than two years and showed no signs of wear.
Mirzoyan’s brother, a doctor who also owns a furniture-making company in Russia, introduced the A&R partners to Falke Mobel owner Sergey Sokolov. Because Falke Mobel had no North American presence, Artur Mirzoyan asked to become the exclusive importer for the United States and Canada.
“It took me a while to convince him,†Mirzoyan said, because the factory is working at capacity and a strong euro currency makes sales in Europe more profitable.
“Demand is a lot higher than he can produce,†Mirzoyan said. But Sokolov finally consented, recognizing that if the American market takes off he will have to build another factory.
Since then A&R has invested about $80,000 to buy a shipping container full of furniture and leased showroom space in the Tuft-Tex Complex. If things go as planned, that will be the only retail presence because the partners want to concentrate on wholesaling the impressive pieces to designers and builders.
“We had to bring something to show people what we were talking about,†Mirzoyan said.
Jim Pugliese, architectural interior designer at Jack Wise Interiors in Plains Township, said he’ll take a look at what A&R has to offer.
Leather never goes out of fashion, he said, partly because leather’s durability makes it a good long-term investment.
“You’re definitely getting a good grade,†with full-grain leather, Pugliese said. “It’s nice to see something that’s non-Chinese made.
“It’s perfect for any type of interior style,†and leather has the added benefit of being less likely to harbor dust mites or other allergens, he said.
The partners met a few years ago when Mirzoyan, 44, a contractor, built an addition on Heffron’s house in Dallas.
“We’ve been best friends since then,†Mirzoyan said.
About the time Mirzoyan and his wife Irina came to the area Heffron, 55, sold his interest in the family petroleum supplies business and moved to Florida. But he never warmed up to the transient nature of the Sunshine State and stayed there only a few months.
“I realized the good people live here,†he said.
The showroom has been open only two weeks and the only sale so far has come from a neighbor who saw a sofa in the Mirzoyans’ Mountain Top home and ordered on the spot. But they are encouraged by the reaction to their display in the Architectural Digest home design show, held a month ago in New York.
“We got tremendous response,†Artur Mirzoyan said. Now they have a catalog and Web site and with help from a marketer friend are planning a mailing and other approaches to their target market.
In addition to the showroom stock, custom orders can be made using choices from more than 100 patterns, styles and colors. Some of them simulate alligator, tiger or other skins. Most of the sofas can be made as sleepers for $350 extra. The line includes both modern and traditional styles.
Prices vary depending on the amount and finish of the leather. A classic Chester style sofa that would look right at home in a professional office or cozy den sells for $2,900. A modern three-piece set of sofa, love seat and chair goes for about $9,000. There is a slight premium of 3 to 10 percent for customization.
Custom orders will take six to eight weeks. Since they must buy a full shipping container, which can hold 15 to 18 sets, the partners are hoping to pick up a few new orders so they can display a wider range of merchandise.
“We’re not afraid to get another container,†Heffron said.
While impressed with the booming economic opportunities in the former Soviet Union, the Mirzoyans are not tempted to return – the political and social climate is just too uncertain.
“There’s such a huge gap between rich and poor,†Irina said.
CHECK IT OUT
A& R Luxury Leather, at 1325 N. River St., Plains Township, is the only U.S. distributor of Russian-made Falke Mobel leather furniture.
The showroom is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment.
Call 704-0690
Check out its Web site at www.arluxuryleather.com
Source: www.timesleader.com
