Z Gallerie an oasis for thirsty home furnishings market

Jennifer Prosser

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000 | 2:50 a.m.

It seems a simple concept - to provide quality home furnishings at an affordable price. Yet the home furnishings market has gone relatively unnoticed in Las Vegas. But all that changed with the opening of Z Gallerie in the Desert Passage shops.

Z Gallerie makes shopping for the home a delight. The store is open and bright, the selection plentiful and the displays are colorful and inviting. It's easy to picture items in your home.

And that's exactly the intent. A "lifestyle" store, Z Gallerie is designed to reflect the fabrics and decor customers would select for their homes.

Z Gallerie was the brainchild of Michael and Joseph Zeiden, who began the home furnishings store 20 years ago as a poster gallery. The privately-owned company has since expanded to 38 stores in 12 states, and has more than 600 employees. The company is based in Los Angeles.

The Vegas store, which opened in August at the Desert Passage, has far exceeded its sales expectations, according to store manager Brad Webber.

"We're doing very well, and business is steady," said Webber.

Z Gallerie opened eight new stores this year, but Webber said that the focus has shifted and the chain is now looking within. "Our focus now is to slow down, perfect our existing stores and grow slowly," said Webber.

Chief Financial Officer Michael Zeiden said the Vegas store is holding its own among others in the country, and ranked it among the nation's top five.

Zeiden said the Vegas market was a logical progression for the home furnishings store. "There are not many people (in Vegas) doing what we do," said Zeiden.

The 10,000 square-foot Z Gallerie, which hits visitors head-on when entering Desert Passage from the Aladdin's parking garage, fills a void in Vegas - the home furnishings market.

Assistant store manager Denise Gennock agrees. "There's nothing like it (Z Gallerie) on this scale," she said. "I don't feel we have a competitor in Vegas yet."

Another draw, said Gennock, is the store's variety of furnishings. Customers can go classic with mahogany furniture, brass lamps, vases and ornate mirrors or contemporary with bold colors, jeweled boxes, mosaic tables and throw pillows. For the trendy there are Serengeti-inspired chaises and animal print pillows.

Although it began as a gallery, Z Gallerie now devotes only 20 percent of its space to artwork. The selection at the Vegas, however, is as varied as in the home store, with reproductions of works from Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, photography by Ruth Orkin, and sketches of Curious George and other childhood favorites. Prices are very reasonable, some as low as $45 (for a framed 21-by-15 inch print). A personal favorite, the 60-by-43 Grafofoni Columbia print, is a steal at $245. All works are framed and ready for display.

Worldwide shipping is available for all items purchased at Z Gallerie.