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4 GENERAL NEWS KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW Housewares Industry Loses Principled Pioneer Kitchenware News & Housewares Review regrets to report that Burton Sloane died peacefully January 4, 2014 after a brief illness. He was 92 years old. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Charlotte, and is survived by his sons Gary (Barbara) and Steve (Melanie), daughter Louise (Don), and four grandchildren. Born August 16, 1921 in Brooklyn, he worked as a business reporter for The New York Times before and after his induction into the Army Air Corps, where he served with distinction as a B24 navigator and as an intelligence officer. His last official rank was Lt. Colonel. Burt visited the new New York Times building in 2011 with his son Steve. There they met with Arthur Sulzburger, Jr. who confirmed that Burt was both the youngest NY Times reporter in its long history, only 20 in 1940, and the only one without a college degree. Later, aided by the GI Bill, Burt earned a B.S. in Economics from Brooklyn College and an M.S. in Retailing from New York University. He had a long career Cool Gear Releases New Licensed Product Lines Cool Gear International announced three new licensed product lines at the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show, January 16 – 18, 2014. Featured at the show are the company's new Coca-Cola, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and collegiate licensed products that include new designs on the brand's iconic reusable, BPA-free tumblers, chillers, coolgearcans and sport bottles. "With our new licensing partnerships we will offer a wide array of products featuring fresh new designs to both current and new customers," said Donna Roth, President and CEO of Cool Gear International. "Our trend insights show consumers love collecting branded collegiate, soccer, and Coca-Cola items and we're excited to reach these loyal fans." Three new licensed product lines from Cool Gear International: Coca-Cola: Cool Gear International and Coca-Cola have a multi-year agreement to add several different Coca-Cola designs to Cool Gear International's signature Corkcicle Unveils New Market Space Corkcicle partners Stephen Bruner and Eric Miller cut the ribbon for the unveiling of the new Corkcicle space atAmericasMart on January 8.  The Corkcicle space is part of the Dugan-Bliss & Associates Showroom and includes video mapping technology, sleek design and a built-in bar. The modern hotspot encapsulates the essence of Corkcicle's beverage chilling products.  In the photo, from left to right are Brad Sitton, from Orchestrate, Victor Armendariz and Laura Disque from AmericasMart, Vernon Bliss of Dugan-Bliss, Bruner and Miller. JC Penney to Close 33 Stores, Cut 2,000 Jobs J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is closing 33 underperforming stores across the country in order to focus its resources on the company's highest potential growth opportunities. These actions are expected to save approximately $65 million a year, beginning in 2014. In connection with this initiative, the company expects to incur estimated pretax charges of approximately $26 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and approximately $17 million in future periods. Remaining inventory in the affected stores will be sold over the next several months, with final closings expected to be complete by early May. The closings will result in the elimination of approximately 2,000 positions. Eligible associates who do not remain with the company will receive separation benefits packages. Meanwhile, the company is continuing its plans to open a new store location later this year at the Gateway II development in Brooklyn, N.Y. "As we continue to progress toward long-term profitable growth, it is necessary to reexamine the financial performance of our store portfolio and adjust our national footprint accordingly," said Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, chief executive officer of JCPenney.   "While it's always difficult to make a business decision that impacts our valued customers and associates, this important step addresses a strategic priority to improve the profitability of our stores and position JCPenney for future success." n FEBRUARY 2014 n www.kitchenwarenews.com as a manufacturer's agent starting as an associate with his brother-in-law Sig Morvay's firm, Mitchell and Morvay, in 1949. Going out on his own, he became the first manufacturers' agent for Salton, Inc. After 25 years with the firm, Marty Kabak, Salton's Vice President of Marketing, presented Burt, who by then was one of the Salton's owners, a plaque certifying that he was "a man with something rare…principles." His son Steve joined him in 1973. At their peak, they simultaneously represented Revereware (20 years), Salton (25+ years), Braun (12 years), Chemex (10 years), Eltron Shavers, Allesi and Gaggia. Steve continues in the business with a new partner: his daughter, Burt's granddaughter, Molly. Burt taught economics and merchandising courses at Queens College to night-school graduate students. Known among friends and family for his unfailing wit and generosity, Burt was a founding member of LI Hospice and after retirement volunteered as a lecturer and grief counselor. During the past two years he has been a member of Glen Cove Writers' Group, where he has regularly contributed expertly crafted short stories. He described himself as having lived his life in a comfortable glow of self-appreciation. coolgearcan and chiller products. In early spring, Cool Gear will add an everyday line of hydration and serveware products featuring the Coca-Cola designs. Coca-Cola licensed Cool Gear products are available now at www.coolgearinc.com and at CVS pharmacy stores nationwide. Suggested retail prices range from $7.99 to $9.99. FIFA: Cool Gear International's licensing partnership with FIFA, which is the first time the two organizations are working together, covers North America, Europe, Brazil, Columbia, Africa and South Korea. The featured products come in a variety of designs and styles and are an ideal collectible for soccer fans. The Cool Gear International FIFA licensed products are available now at Dick's Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet (April/May 2014), World Cup venues and www.coolgearinc.com. Suggested retail prices range from $4.99 to $15.99. Collegiate: Approved by the collegiate licensing company (CLC), this line allows college sports fans to show their school spirit all year long and includes logos from top institutions including The University of Alabama, The University of Tennessee, Boston College, Ohio State University, The University of Kansas, Michigan State University, University of Texas at Austin, and Louisiana State University. Cool Gear International has plans to add more schools in 2014. The brand's line of collegiate products will include branded coolgearcans, Bento Boxes and chillers and will be available in fall 2014. Arteriors to Showcase Lighting Collection, Fireplace Tools Arteriors, a provider of lighting, furniture and accessories to residential and commercial customers, will be showcasing its newest collections at the Las Vegas Market on January 26-30. This season Arteriors is introducing two new categories: fireplace accessories and sconces. The fireplace collection of eight decorative screens, eight andiron sets and a fireplace tool set features handworked metal in modern styles and classic antique finishes. The sconce collection reimagines 14 of the most popular Arteriors lighting styles – including the Zanadoo chandelier and the Pruitt floor lamp – in hardwired sconce format. Arteriors will also expand its collaboration with guest designer Barry Dixon with 40 introductions in the Barry Dixon Collection for Arteriors. Inspired by Dixon's collection of personal antiques and global travels, the whimsical designs include a chocolate leather and antique brass coffee table inspired by the stirrups flanking a horse's saddle and a bench with natural iron legs reminiscent of the graceful stiletto of a mosquito's leg. For more information, visit www.arteriorshome.com About Arteriors Founded by Mark Moussa in 1987, Arteriors is a Dallas-based company that specializes in furniture, lighting, and decorative accessories that appeal to design lovers with up-to-date sensibilities. The company collaborates with experienced artisans and manufacturers around the world producing a full spectrum of styles in luxury materials and finishes. Arteriors has permanent company showrooms in High Point, North Carolina (the International Home Furnishings Center), Las Vegas (the World Market Center), Dallas, Texas (Dallas Market Center) and New York City (New York Design Center/NYDC), and representative showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. About Barry Dixon Believing "the greatest quality a home might possess is that of innate, soulful hospitality," Barry Dixon has become one of the nation's most sought-after designers. A graduate of The University of Mississippi, Dixon spent most of his childhood abroad. His father's work as a metallurgist for an international company based in Germany provided opportunities for the family to live in exotic cities across the world. Elements of those experiences are reflected throughout Dixon's work. Living in India, Pakistan, Korea, New Caledonia and South Africa, Dixon gained a global perspective and laid the foundation for his future. "Barry Dixon Interiors," his first book published in September 2008, is now in its third printing. His latest book, "Barry Dixon Inspirations" is available now in bookstores and online at Amazon. For more information, visit www.barrydixon.com.

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