Furniture retailer to reopen in S. Florida

Plans include Boca Raton and Coral Gables stores

Robb & Stucky, the luxury home furnishing retailer, is making a comeback in South Florida.

The retailer based in Fort Myers plans to open a showroom in Coral Gables this year and in Boca Raton by next year.

In 2011, Robb & Stucky liquidated inventory from its 20 stores in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada after filing to reorganize under Chapter11 bankruptcy. In South Florida, Robb & Stucky had showrooms in Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton.

Robb & Stucky was founded a century ago by Virgil Robb and W. R. Lee. In 1917, Harry Stucky joined the company, which eventually became known as Robb & Stucky.

The retailer is now owned by Samuel Kuo, founder and chief executive of Samson Holdings Ltd.

In 2012, Kuo re-launched Robb & Stucky with the opening of the first new store under .his leadership. The flagship store debuted in Fort Myers, and the company has since expanded to Naples and Sarasota.

“We are a completely different company now,” Steve Lush, Robb & Stucky’s president, said. The old company became known for heavy, ornate European-style furniture at high prices, and the new company is “less stuffy,” with today’s customers in mind and furniture at different prices, he said.

Sandra Spiro, marketing director for Robb & Stucky, said the new company always had the intention to grow and is seeing customers in its Naples showroom from the Boca Raton market.

The Coral Gables and Boca Raton stores will employ at least 40 people, from interior designers to sales managers to office and warehouse personnel, the company said.

Coral Gables’ shop will open at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and LeJeune Road, the space vacated by Epicure Gourmet Market. Boca Raton’s showroom will be along US Highway 1.

Robb & Stucky plans to spend more million in the Boca Raton showroom.

The showrooms are slated to feature an open floor plan with more than 100 room settings.

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