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If the Ladlow’s-Gabberts deal closes, Roark said the plan is for him to remain in a high-level management position there. Mehagian’s had been a Drexel dealer since 1945, but Drexel changed its distribution policy with a plan for multiple stores under one owner in the market, and Mehagian decided to pursue other opportunities outside of the industry, Roark said. Roark also was a partner with Steve Mehagian in a successful Mehagian’s Drexel Heritage store in Scottsdale, which closed in March.
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Ladlow’s was founded by the Ladlow family in 1954 and acquired by Roark in 1976. Key Ladlow’s suppliers include Bernhardt, Henredon and Fine Furniture Design & Marketing as well as some West Coast upholstery sources, including RC Furniture. I like the way all those things line up.” Roark said the culture, business model and vendor structures of Ladlow’s and Gabberts “match about as well as any potential successor. “And even though we just built a new facility, these discussions potentially provide an exit strategy that is appealing.” “We’ve had a very successful business for 27 years,” said Dan Roark, Ladlow’s president and owner. Word of the pending deal got around the furniture market as Gabberts investigated distribution issues with key suppliers. The opportunity was there.” Ladlow’s has lines similar to Gabberts and a comparable customer base, which Gabbert said makes the acquisition appealing. Gabbert said many great retailers are in the Phoenix area, and “we’re certainly not going into Phoenix to compete with Robb & Stucky.