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In attendance were Dr. Markus Miele, fourth-generation family owner, and Nick Ord, U.S. president, who officially cut the ribbon and welcomed the showroom’s first guests at a ceremony attended by customers and staff members last month.
The 5,300-sq.-ft. Gallery in is located within Miele’s 55,000-sq.-ft., 12-acre U.S. campus and is open to both public and trade during business hours Monday to Friday. A company spokesperson described the Gallery as an upscale, boutique setting that displays products in a minimalist environment, “free from distractions of the typical kitchen vignette.”
Paul McCormack, senior marketing manager for Miele, Inc explained, “Our mission, the world over, is to create a light and attractive setting for clients to view our appliances and technology.
“Void of the typical kitchen vignettes, our products stand proud, without the diversion of cabinets, countertops or other elements, similar to a masterpiece on the wall of a fine art museum.”
The Princeton redesign follows a gallery concept store installed in the Architects & Designers Building in New York City last year. According to the company, a further gallery is scheduled to be opened in the near future at the existing Miele showroom in Wellesley, MA.
The company said it will continue to convert its existing showrooms, as well as open a new showroom in Scottsdale, AZ, in the second quarter of 2009. Select retailers will also be transitioning to the Gallery concept, officials added.
Mr Ord said, “Many may ask us if the time is right to invest so heavily in these new showrooms. Our answer – absolutely. It’s not just a good time, it’s the right time.
“We recognize that we must continue to lead the industry. It’s in our DNA to move forward, to improve and to succeed.”
