Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/751848
48 FEDA News & Views Some of the credit also goes to the vendors, according to Executive Vice President Marty Levenstiem. "They're constantly in here polishing the glass- ware and the china and whenever a new piece comes out, it's here within 24 hours," he says. "We always have the lat- est and the greatest. It's like a mini-NRA Show in here year round, and it's a great selling tool when we have to bring in a client. Recently, we had one of the most famous country clubs in the world in here to buy china, and three of the top china manufacturers. Once we get them here, they're not going anywhere else." Thanks to the completion of the year- long remodel, showroom traffi c is up 25 percent. "It's been overwhelmingly posi- tive," says Watson. "We've had country clubs, universities, restaurateurs, major hotel groups…and they're all amazed by what we offer in one location. Just last week, an old competitor stopped by. He used to work for a dealership but Eye Candy Positioned in the front of the show- room, the "Chef's Toys" area is very popular with local chefs, says Senior Vice President Bill Watson. Each month the dealership showcases a dif- ferent manufacturer and loads its products on tables to the left of the front entrance. There are also lots of samples. "You would not believe the beeline the chefs make to these tables," says Watson. now works for a restaurant chain, so he's familiar with our business. All he kept saying was, 'I've got to get my staff in here. I've got to get the owner of our res- taurants in here and our chefs.' Usually when they come in and look around, they are sorry that they didn't bring the rest of their staff." continued on page 58