HUNTER DOUGLAS GALLERY
MARKS TEN YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Hunter Douglas, the leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window coverings in North America, is proud to announce the 10 year anniversary of its National Network of Gallery Stores which began in 2000.

In the year 2000, most of us were enjoying the last Peanuts comic strip, breathing a sigh of relief that we had survived the concerns about Y2K computer failures, and celebrating when the NASDAQ hit its all-time high of 5,132.

Back then, the average cost of a gallon of gas was $1.26, a postage stamp cost 33 cents, and Montgomery Ward announced it was going out of business after 128 years. At Hunter Douglas, the Window Fashions Gallery program was launched.

A Few Brave Dealers Took the First Step

In 2000, a small group of businesses took a leap of faith to join the new Window Fashions Gallery program (now called Hunter Douglas Gallery). From the beginning, the Gallery brand has been about dealers providing the ultimate shopping experience for consumers.

“The best way to evolve as a business in 2000 was to become a Gallery Dealer,” said Bruce Abramson, owner of the first Gallery store, now called A Shade Above, in Davie, Florida. “Aligning with Hunter Douglas kept me, and continues to keep me on the forefront of the retail window covering industry,” added Bruce. “Becoming a Gallery enabled my company to project the professional image to the consumer that I wanted. In 2010, that image is still prevalent when consumers visit my showroom.”

By the end of the year 2000, ten Gallery Dealers had been installed, and by year-end 2001, 59 dealers had become Hunter Douglas Gallery Dealers. The first Gallery Certified Training was held in February 2002 when the term “Go Gallery!” was coined, and a sense of camaraderie and joint purpose began among Gallery Dealers. At the start of 2002, the Hunter Douglas Dealer Locator began preferentially directing consumers to Gallery Dealers. The rest, as they say, is history.

Steady Growth and Strong Success

The number of Gallery Dealers has increased every year since the program began — even during the last couple of very challenging years. The Gallery count is more than 400 dealers today, and still growing. The prospects for future growth and success of the program are better than ever — with the exclusive programs and preferential benefits available to Gallery Dealers. We’re looking forward to the next ten years!

“We know now that the tools available to Gallery Dealers drive sales,” said Vice President Retail Alliance Programs, Jeff Janke, who has directed the Hunter Douglas Alliance Programs since their inception ten years ago. “This is from leads provided by Hunter Douglas, in addition to Alliance tools dealers can use to generate their own leads, close sales and optimize their customers’ shopping experience.”

The Blind Alley, located in Bellevue, Washington is in this elite group of storefront dealers who are committed to providing consumers with a thoroughly satisfying shopping experience. "We are proud", said Kurt Evers, President, "to offer customers optimum solutions for their window covering needs in addition to an exceptional retail experience, along with a spectacular in-store display ambiance that shows products in a most favorable light". The Hunter Douglas Gallery captures the energy and elegance of the entire Hunter Douglas line in a colorful, user-friendly format. Customers are able to view and operate the full range of products available and easily select the treatments that best complement their homes, all while seated comfortably in a well-lit environment. Hunter Douglas and The Blind Alley invite you to visit The Gallery and experience the unique showroom settings and full size interactive displays to the quality products and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Hunter Douglas Window Coverings are available from The Blind Alley in Bellevue, Washington. For more information, contact The Blind Alley and visit our Hunter Douglas Gallery showroom.

Or view Hunter Douglas Window Coverings in the privacy of your home with one of our Window Fashion Designers.

To view more information regarding Hunter Douglas Window Coverings visit the Hunter Douglas website.

Hunter Douglas Inc., headquartered in Upper Saddle River, N.J., is the leading manufacturer of custom window coverings in North America.

To learn more about The Blind Alley visit our Company Profile.

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