May 15, 2017

Appelman Schauben cranks it up on 11

With the opening this summer of its new 11^th floor AmericasMart showroom space, Appelman  Schauben is embarking on the largest expansion in its 23-year history.

The rep organization, based here, will continue to operate its flagship 18^th floor, 20,000-square-foot space but will now add an additional 5,000 square feet on the 11^th floor. Both showrooms are in Building 2 of the market center.

“This represents the biggest single expansion both in size and additional lines we’ve ever had,” said Peter Schauben, who along with his partner Louise Appelman, is the co-principle and co-founder of the company. “And we expect to be able to grow even more between now and the January 2018 market.”

The new space, in suite 1127, will feature several first-time lines for A&S, including Meri Meri, Toss and Time Concept. Moving down from the 18^th floor are a number of lines, including Beach Glass, Flint, Stanley and Studio Oh! The company also represents several other lines that maintain their own showrooms on the 11^th floor, including Imax, TAG and Harman. Additional lines represented by A&S with showrooms at AmericasMart include HomArt, Eightmood, Skalny and Peking Handicraft.

The dramatic expansion opens up space in the original 18^th floor showroom, which began with just 1,200 square feet in 1994 and has expanded eight times to its current size.

New to the showroom on 18 will be: Karma, Wit! And The Margot Elena Companies and Collections: Lollia, Tokyo Milk, Library of Flowers and The Cottage Greenhouse. Also new to 18 is Skeem.

Some two dozen other brands and lines continue to be shown in the space, which anchors the Building 2 line-up in Atlanta.

Speaking of the moves, Jeff Portman, vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart, said, “With this expansion, Appelman Schauben embraces and gives voice to the convergence of fashion apparel, accessories and gift as a singular experience. It’s a strategic intersecting of trends and a powerful force in contemporary retailing.  Peter and his team have created a product resource that is both new and next.”

Schauben said, “We’re saying with the 18^th floor, we’re Still on Top, and now the 11^th floor is The Next Best Thing.”