by HIGH POINT — California-based contemporary home furnishings brand Armen Living is putting down roots in North Carolina by purchasing a building in High Point.
“We are excited to announce we have found a new permanent home in the heart of North Carolina’s furniture capital,” said Kevin Kevonian, owner, president and chief executive officer of Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living. “This property will see to the future growth of our two companies with exponential opportunities to expand our customer base, with year-round southern hospitality.”
This development is just one of several significant moves Armen Living has planned for 2026 and that continues its 49-year company history. The purchase of their new property comes on the heels of Armen Living’s December acquisition of outdoor manufacturer Uwharrie Chair Co., (pronounced you-WAH-ree) which is named after the Uwharrie National Forest, and offers domestic distribution out of its manufacturing facility near High Point, North Carolina.
Kevonian added, “As we look to the future for this legacy outdoor living brand, we felt that a new name that pays homage to its roots, while also encapsulating the outdoor lifestyle of its products, is the perfect way to carry us forward. The rebrand of Uwharrie Outdoor Living began with the launch of its new logo and a new website (www.uwharrieoutdoorliving.com) in order to welcome our new customers from winter markets, and to be ready for a brand-new reveal at spring High Point Market.”
Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living invite trade customers and attendees of High Point Market (April 25-29) to come experience their new location at 417 Wrenn St. in High Point. To explore Armen Living’s full category of new arrivals including bar, dining, living and occasional designs alongside 100’s of new outdoor products and to discover the beauty of Uwharrie Outdoor Living.
“A newly combined downtown location for Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living adds to the diverse offering that attracts the home furnishings trade to High Point Market each season,” said Tammy Covington, president and chief executive officer of High Point Market Authority, organizer of the biannual trade show. “We’re excited for buyers to support the brands in their new space.”
Armen Living’s new 12,000-square-foot property is on nearly an acre of land and features two attached buildings. It also is a short walk from the main building’s transportation terminal and is adjacent to a local restaurant Oscar’s, and is next to trade brands Lucas Home and Diamond Sofa.
“It’s always exciting when a global home furnishings company chooses to put down roots in High Point and invest in North Carolina craftsmanship,” said Jane Dagmi, managing director of HPXD, a trade organization whose mission is to make the city of High Point a year-round destination. “That kind of commitment reflects confidence in our city, in market and in the year-round future we’re building as the Home Furnishings Capital of the World.”
Since the property’s closing on Friday, Feb. 13, the building took the first steps in beginning its plans for a complete remodel, in order to be ready for the spring market.
Phase one will begin by modernizing the larger 7,000-square-foot street-facing building, by updating the interior, adding new lighting and updating the building’s brick exterior. Plans to the exterior include a new outdoor space, with an attached deck to the side of the larger main building allowing both brands to showcase their luxury outdoor furniture in an outdoor area and will also provide space to host several events at biannual markets.
Phase two will remodel the 5,000-square-foot rear-facing building which features two shipping/receiving docks and sits on a large lot with ample parking for market buyers, sales reps and guests. The remodel of this building will start after the spring market to modernize the interior, update the lighting and make it available for rent to a new tenant. The second phase will also upgrade the exterior of the larger street-facing building by installing a complete set of floor-to-ceiling windows for a bright modern feel and gallery-style look. The second phase will conclude with new paint, signage and a rooftop billboard to advertise both brands.
The property’s escrow began during Armen Living’s winter market season and during the first showing of Uwharrie Outdoor Living since the December acquisition. The buzz around the news began at Atlanta Market and was followed with increasingly palpable energy at the Las Vegas Market, when the West Coast design and trade community experienced Uwharrie Outdoor Living’s beautifully presented bar, dining and living collections — in a diverse range of colors and styles — for the very first time.
“This is an exciting time for both our companies,” said Holly Lightfoot, director of product development for Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living. “Showcasing Uwharrie’s beautiful bench-made outdoor furniture for the first time alongside Armen Living’s new arrivals was a great feeling. Connecting with retail buyers, specialty outdoor dealers, hospitality purveyors and interior designers from across the country, and hearing feedback from our existing customers that Uwharrie’s collection is the perfect accompaniment alongside Armen Living’s award-winning furniture, only solidifies our position and decision to present our two iconic brands in one location going forward. We can’t wait to see each business grow and to debut new and exciting collections coming soon.”
One of the key elements that has made the successful merging of Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living is how both companies share core values and ethics around their family-owned businesses, and their goal to manufacture the highest quality products for the wholesale market. By combining resources and go-to-market strategies with exceptional sales expertise, both brands are expanding their customer base, which will elevate each company’s legacy of manufacturing beautifully made furniture that resonates with trade buyers and designers all across the country.
“We are thrilled to share exciting news about our new property and how we are envisioning our future,” said Reb Nicholson, national sales manager. “Our new location is excellent, and offers a prime location with visibility near the main buildings and we encourage our dealers to come visit our new showroom. As our renovations get under way, we are preparing to make a big splash, and we will be fully operational in time for the spring market. We look forward to offering our customers and market attendees tours of our new home in High Point and to hosting exciting events.”
Nicholson added that early access by appointment starts on Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. followed by walk-in access during High Point Market, April 25-29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To book a market appointment, reach out to National Sales Manager Reb Nicholson, by phone 336-688-7918 or email Reb@armenliving.com.
