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Last week end we went to the High Point, NC furniture and home show. If you have never been, it is truly an experience. The entire city is devoted to furniture. When the show is over, the city basically shuts down. It gives us an opportunity to review collections, seek out new suppliers and meet with old friends. We always pack a great pair of walking shoes, because one can easily cover ten miles in one day.

This visit was most rewarding as I had the pleasure to meet Emilio. Emilio is of Italian decent via Argentina. His family decided to abandon ship with the rise of Hugo Chavez and settled in Panama. Five years ago, Emilio decided to open a 1500 sq. ft. store front, devoted to high end furniture and design. Stuck for a name, his good friend Luis Blasini suggested that he call it Kannoa, same as Luis’ outdoor furniture company. And so he did.

And soon, high rises were being built and new homes for the middle class. This was a country which was beginning to come out of a very deep recession.

Luxury Outdoor Furniture

Business was difficult at first, as most of the people were used to buying furniture and outdoor furniture from COSCO. An outdoor lounge chair for $50.00 was the norm. Who was going to purchase an outdoor chair for $1100.00? But Emilio sensed something. They only bought from COSCO, because that is all they ever knew. When he loaded up with style, quality and price, a buzz began to spread in the community in Panama City. And soon, high rises were being built and new homes for the middle class. This was a country which was beginning to come out of a very deep recession. One container became two containers which morphed into ten containers. Emilio stuck to his guns and presented products with quality and style.

We walked much of the show together in the IHFC together. “Walmart, Big Box, no, no, played out, no, no, too common, overdone, no, no…….hmmmmm maybe!” And so we enter a showroom. Being with Emilio reinforced what The Sarasota Collection Home Store is all about. QUALITY, STYLE and HARMONY! Doing this for many years, it was great to meet a kindred spirit. Better, it is truly a privilege to have him as a friend.