Firestone Moves to L.A. Mart
Major gift industry wholesaler Firestone Marketing Group (formerly Firestone Associates) is leaving the California Market Center in Los Angeles to return to the L.A. Mart, where it has signed a long-term lease.
The 35-year-old company—which sells home furnishings, gifts, stationery and jewelry—is one of the largest manufacturer representatives on the West Coast. Company representatives said the new 5,500-square-foot showroom will be set up in time for the July 19–26 Los Angeles Gift & Home Furnishings Market.
Firestone is leaving behind more than 13,000 square feet of showroom space at the CMC, its home since 2001. The CMC said it is negotiating with a major tenant that is interested in taking over the space, which occupies almost the entire 12th floor of the building’s C wing.
Firestone had been part of the L.A. Mart for more than 20 years but moved to the CMC four years ago to take advantage of a dynamic that featured newly designed showrooms and cross-merchandising opportunities with the apparel and accessories markets. Since then, company President Richard Firestone announced his retirement and turned over the business to son Marc Firestone and principal Alison Hess.
“This is a better business move for us,” said Marc Firestone.
“The quality of the tenants as well as the energy of the building combine to create a wonderful venue for the home base of our new company,” Hess said.
Firestone will be located in suite 330 of the L.A. Mart, the 725,000-square-foot building operated by Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. and owned by Vornado Realty Trust, which acquired the property from the Joseph Kennedy family in 1998.
—Robert McAllister
