Gift Shift to L.A. Mart

Several gift-industry showrooms are relocating in Los Angeles from the California Market Center to the L.A. Mart.

Aldik Artificial Flower Co., Aurora World, Bey-Berk International, Catherine Lillywhite, Crystal Clear, Crystal Group, Moulon of Beverly Hills and Sullivans are among those that have signed leases for space in the rival building, said a representative of Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., owners of the L.A. Mart.

Anne McGilvray & Co., one of the anchors of the CMC’s gift wing, is also taking space at the L.A. Mart but tentatively plans to maintain a presence at both buildings, said a representative of the Dallas-based gift wholesaler.

The companies are expected to be open in their respective showrooms for the Jan. 17–24 Los Angeles gift markets, which take place at the CMC, L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center.

The L.A. Mart is totally dedicated to the gift, furniture and home-accessories markets while the CMC is a multidimensional marketplace with apparel, accessories, and gift and home industries.

The CMC opened its C wing to gift-industry tenants about three years ago in an attempt to fill vacant space and create cross-merchandising opportunities for tenants, but some former tenants say the effort lost steam when previous investors with ties to the gift industries sold their stake in the building last year.

“During the first two years when the Dallas Market Center people were involved, it was incredible. Now, there’s very little traffic and little marketing to support it,” said Larry Stoffer, vice president of sales for floral resource Sullivans, which recently relocated from the CMC to the L.A. Mart. “The decision is driven by our customers.”

The CMC is continuing to pursue cross-merchandising opportunities through shows such as Glow, which features gift, fashion and home-deacute;cor vendors.

CMC General Manager John Kim said building leasing officials are currently in negotiations with several prospective tenants looking for space in the gift and home wing of the center. The center has also added a new tenant, Precious Moments. —Robert McAllister