Indian River Furniture Taps Care Sector with Smart Beds, Recliners
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Brevard Business BBN News Vol. 32 No. 41 October 13, 2014 $1.00 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine with Publishing Roots in America since 1839 Indian River Furniture taps care sector with smart beds, recliners By Ken Datzman ROCKLEDGE — Furniture manufacturers see the future in one old–fashioned piece of their industry that has long been ignored and is now being transformed and repackaged for the consumer market. Manufacturers are positioning themselves in the fast–rising smart–bed technology segment, where innovative product design and engineering features are wooing buyers in a new way. Beds, once thought of as ancient technology, have been re- vamped by manufacturers with the bells and whistles of the modern–day tech devices that consumers clamor for. These new bed products are designed around comfort, and not only target the aging population but also a wide range of other users in general. Some of the new–generation luxury beds are equipped with motors and lifts, have multimedia options, surround–sound capability, integrated–massage systems, and other leading technologies. The new battleground for home–furnishing manufacturers looks to be “smart–bed technology,” which is being embraced by growing numbers of consumers across various disposable–income categories. Local retailers say sales of these beds are on the rise, in a county where roughly 25 percent of the population is comprised of people age 65 and older. “One of the beds we’ve just received from a vendor is Wi–Fi capable. There are speakers in the base of the bed,” said Bridget Lilly, the longtime buyer and interior designer for Indian River Furniture, a 75–year–old family owned, full–service multi–brand retailer that is making a push into this particular sector of the industry. Her store is gearing up to tap a market she says has a “huge potential” for growth years well into the future. “We are expanding with adjustable beds; easy–to–use lift recliners with powerful BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth mechanisms that people are asking for, and other health–care–type Bridget Lilly, the longtime buyer for Indian River Furniture in Rockledge, says her retail store is expanding with adjustable beds, products that tie into this niche of the industry. All of these lift–recliners, and other health–care–type consumer products. Furniture manufacturers are investing heavily in smart–bed products are designed around comfort. There are so many people technology. Lilly has also been growing the store’s accessory offerings, making niche purchases from small businesses in with knee problems and with back problems.” Atlanta. She is on her way to the High Point, N.C., Fall Market, the largest home–furnishings trade show in the world. One–half of all working Americans admit to having back–pain symptoms each year, according to a report by the American Chiropractic Association. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or 32904 “non–organic,” meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, INC. NEWS, such as infection, fracture, or cancer. BUSINESS BREVARD Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back–pain PAID treatment. One of the ACA’s recommendations is to sleep on a POSTAGE US STANDARD PRESORTED Please see Indian River Furniture, page 19 BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS INDIAN RIVER FURNITURE 5TH Annual Always Great Design... ESTRY OF NTURES Complimentary In-Home Design Services TAP M VE A US D Over 50 Brands To Choose From IC A AL N AND UREA Brevard ZooEPIC Indian River Firniture pick up BBN 10/06/14 new ad emailed Presented by page 3 AT BREVARD ZOO FULL COLORNovember 8, 2014 FULL COLOR 7:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. ADD BORDER ALL-INCLUSIVE! MUSIC • FOOD • DRINKS • ENTERTAINMENT Early Bird Tickets: $70 • $75 Non-Members Tickets Available Online at BrevardZoo.org SIGNATURE DISHES FROM OVER 30 TOP RESTAURANTS & CATERERS DISTINCTIVE INTERIORS SINCE 1939 3200 US Highway 1 l Rockledge, FL 32955 l (321)636-4348 For Sponsorship Opportunities or Tickets, call • 321-254-9453 X 234 Brevard’s Trusted Leader in Home Furnishings for Over 75 Years 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL • BrevardZoo.org www.indianriverfurniture.com BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2 Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information OCTOBER 13, 2014 BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS ‘The Havenly Affair’ at Hermansen estate on Merritt Island to showcase collector cars; tickets, sponsorships available The Haven Guild will host its annual fall fund–raiser, “The Havenly Affair,” on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Merritt Island estate of Bjornar and Bjorn Hermansen. Two New Partners Titled “Concours del Sol,” the event will provide guests a glimpse into the “rare and exquisite” world of high–end car collectors. Abbey joined Berman Hopkins in Concours events are known internationally to be a playground for the super–rich. June of 2009 after working in China Events such as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Amelia Island Concours as a tax consultant. She was born d’Elegance are premier showcases of the finest vehicles in the world. Car aficionados and and raised in Springfield, Ohio. collectors travel from near and far to enjoy the collections of automotive legends and the Abbey graduated from UCF with a most rare of vehicles. BSBA in Accounting and a Master’s in Residents of the Space Coast now have the opportunity to attend a Concours event Business Administration. Prior to her closer to home. Concours del Sol will feature a collection of rare and unique vehicles time in China, she was a tax partner chosen by the event curators, including a 1967 Austin Healey and a 1952 MG TD, as well with a CPA firm in Jacksonville, FL. as noteworthy pre–war vehicles and a special piece of history, the 1967 marina blue Abbey has focused her work efforts Corvette Coupe once owned by Neil Armstrong, the late astronaut who was the first man on the tax consulting and compliance to walk on the moon. needs for closely held businesses There will also be a special marque highlighting the development of Elon Musk’s all– and high-wealth individuals. She is a electric vehicles. This will feature a race–condition Lotus Elise, which was the framework Berman HopkinsCertified Financial Planner and serves Musk used to build the Tesla Roadster, the super–fast all–electric sports car first built to on the Board of Directors for the prove the technology. Brevard Heart Foundation. In her Guests will be able to see the Lotus Elise next to a Tesla Roadster, one of only 2,600 spare time, Abbey enjoys traveling, made, and then marvel at the deep burgundy Signature Series Model S, one of only 1,000. new ad emailedvolleyball and spending as much time This particular car was recognized by Musk and featured in “The New York Times” for Abbey Redden as possible with her husband, Curt, being the first electric vehicle to achieve 400–plus miles on a single charge. Tax Partner and her 15-year old twins, Sam and Aly. Last year’s Havenly Affair — “Vroom!” — showcased a collection of 17 Aston Martin and Ferrari vehicles. Building on this success, Concours del Sol will offer guests an FULL COLOR “afternoon reception they won’t soon forget.” Don joined Berman Hopkins in The program will include food, music and drink, as well as an opportunity to win a March of 2011. He was raised in the diamond pendant worth more than $6,000 and donated by Kempf’s Jewelers in northwestern Pennsylvania town Indialantic. of Ridgway with his twin and three Concours del Sol tickets are $150, with sponsorships beginning at $300. Event other brothers. His father was benefactors will enjoy a VIP reception at the private pool house at 2 p.m., with the general an old-fashioned barber while his reception from 3 to 6 p.m., overlooking the Indian River. mother had the more difficult task Visit www.TheHavenForChildren.com/events.php to purchase tickets. of caring for the five boys! After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Don moved to Los King Center’s Theatre for Youth and Outreach Program Angeles near his oldest brother and is awarded a $10,000 grant from The Boeing Co. achieved partner status at a Santa The Theatre for Youth and Outreach Program of the Maxwell C. King Center of Monica firm. Throughout life, Don Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne was recently awarded a grant from The has enjoyed theatre, scuba diving, Boeing Co. in recognition of the King Center’s efforts in performing arts education for piano, tennis, and camping, as well children. The $10,000 grant from Boeing makes it possible to offer some partially or as the awesome storms and critters of completely underwritten admissions to productions, residencies and summer programs to Florida. As a CPA with nearly 30 years of experience, Don is well equipped support children and youth whose families are economically challenged, said Karen to service a wide range of clients. Don Carobine Wilson, director of the King Center Theatre for Youth and Outreach Program. Audit Partner Children are “inspired” by the professional performances they see at the King Center. Their “imaginations are ignited and curiosity about other cultures aroused,” creating a “teachable moment” for students when the classes use pre– and post–performance activity guides. “The generous support from Boeing is truly appreciated,” said Wilson. “While the current economic climate continues to challenge arts and educational opportunities for students, Boeing’s generous support enables us to ensure the arts remain alive for the children of Brevard County. It will help us keep ticket prices under $10 and will allow us to take high–quality, affordable programs into the community.” More than 8,900 students were impacted through the Theatre for Youth and Outreach Program last season, she said, “and with sponsors such as Boeing, we are hoping to increase the level of students that are able to participate in our programs.” The plans also include an opportunity to bring the “Extreme Health Challenge Orlando, FL ~ 255 S.