Former Eurway owners open MG+BW store

Austin, Texas— The founders and former owners of Dallas-based retailer Eurway have opened their first dedicated Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store here and plan more for this market and in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Joni Greeson and Greg Greeson, who sold their Eurway interest in 2004, opened

They plan to open other 8,000- to 9,000-square-foot MG+BW stores, starting with two in metro Dallas/Fort Worth within nine months.

"We intend to open as many stores as the markets will bear," Greg Greeson said, adding that Austin will likely support a second store. They are shooting for annual sales of about $2 million per store.

Greg Greeson, who has a background in industrial design, added touches to the Austin showroom including elaborate interior and exterior stone work and movable, power strip-equipped interior partitions to keep the store fresh and accommodate special events.

"We want to be able to do anything from fashion shows to movie screenings," he said.

The showroom has about 30 furniture vignettes. Starting price points are about $1,000 for slipcover sofas and $1,299 for leather club chairs.

When the Greesons left Eurway, they signed a two-year non-compete agreement, and during that time researched business opportunities. They found what they wanted in MG+BW, with its upscale profile and regular advertising in shelter magazines.

"They're a great company," Greeson said. "We had 600 people show for the grand opening party and that really drove home the brand equity's value. There is goodwill associated with the brand and that's been gratifying, because we haven't had to build it on our own."

Austin is the 15th MG+BW store in the United States. Mitchell Gold, founder and chairman of the North Carolina-based manufacturer and importer, said others will open soon in Puerto Rico and Mexico City, and Houston.

"We're just opening when we have the right licensees in a given market to do it," Gold said.