Ex-Cormans employees start own retail store
Three men whose products might be adorning your Christmas tree have branched out to form their own retail business.
After years working for Cormans, the Lexington company known for its display work for major companies, J. Stuart Hurt, Dwayne Anderson and Jeremy Rice have formed their own retail design business to focus on floral displays, interior design, custom upholstery and more.
The trio’s business, which is named “house: design, floral and event,” grew out of a company, JSD Designs, they formed in 2006. While working for Cormans, the three designed Christmas products and more for Roman Inc., a gift and specialty products distributor. When they were laid off by Cormans late last year as the company rethought its retail presence, they decided to make a go of it themselves.
Hurt, who supervised Anderson and Rice at Cormans, said they intend for their store at 1583 Delaware Avenue, which opens Tuesday, to be a place where “everything has a story.”
Beyond the merchandise they design that will be for sale, they also have brought in goods from other area jewelry designers and artists. Among them is an artist who took up jewelry design while she was battling breast cancer, he said. Their products will have a wall plaque or something similar to convey the stories to patrons, Hurt said.
