Let’s begin with 50,000 and then tear it down. That’s the square footage that Erik Mueller of Watson’s demolished before putting up a brand-new 100,000 sq. ft. spectacular new store in Cincinnati.

Every Saturday, for four weeks, Watson’s offered its first 50 shoppers a $150 gift card – at every Watson’s store. That’s why the lines formed.

But that’s not all. In each Watson’s market, the company in June offered a $50,000 home makeover promotion. “We gave away more than $400,000 worth of goods to our consumers,” Mueller says.

There’s much to be learned from reading what Mueller has to say. (See "Stopping the Clock (a bit)")

Numbers

Have you met the folks at Kannoa yet? You should. They’ve built their business on friendships and will continue to do so. The Miami-based company was founded in 2006 by two friends – Philip Boulton and Luis Blasini – who grew up together in Venezuala.

The company, they say, is built on four pillars (there’s those numbers again) – Design, Functionality, Durability, and Harmony.

To survive the 2007 economic downturn, they concentrated on the Hospitality and Resort businesses; patio retailers were reluctant to take on a new line. They had five employees, and yet they exhibited at 11 trade shows in one year. Today the company employs six sales reps and contracts with another dozen or so independent reps. (See "Friendship & Business")

Numbers

With Woodard, the number is one (1). That’s one acquisition and it’s Mallin. Bill Herren, creative director of both Woodard and Mallin, explains the purchase and how it will be handled by his team. (See "Woodard Acquires Mallin")

Numbers

For Lloyd Flanders, the number is 20. That’s how many years it has been since the owners of the Homestead Inn in Greenwich, Connecticut, purchased furniture from the company’s Heirloom collection for the Inn’s veranda. The cushions are covered in Sunbrella’s Safari green and white stripes.

“The pieces are actually still serviceable, but toward the end of last season, they just weren’t as fresh as we need them to be,” says Theresa Carroll, inn co-owner. “After 20 years, we saw no reason to change the design of the furniture and fabrics that have worked so well for us.”

“When you consider that our company traces its heritage to 1906,” says Dudley Flanders, president of Lloyd Flanders, “and that the Lloyd Loom process was patented in 1917, it’s not surprising that we can provide heirloom quality products.” (See "The Longevity of Lloyd Flanders")

Numbers

Metal-Fab, a manufacturer of venting and air distribution products, is celebrating its 60th year in business. “The secret of our success for the 60 years we have been in business is our steadfast emphasis on our core values,” says Marcus Wheeler, Marketing manager. (See "Eye on Core Values")

Numbers

For Coyote Outdoor Living, the number is three. That’s how many patio furniture collections the company will debut at Casual Market Chicago the last week of September. Coyote made its name – and it’s a good one – in the barbecue industry, and also with fire features. Its products will be on display at its booth, and at the Backyard BBQ Party on the first night of the show. (See "Expanding the Line")

See you in Chicago!