Columnist Muriel Stevens: Brandon finds home in Vegas

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 | 8:18 a.m.

When the warehouse showroom of Brandon of Las Vegas opened its doors in April 2001, 27,000 square feet seemed like a lot of space. Just one year later it has increased in size to 57,000 square feet, every foot filled with high-end, almost-wholesale-priced furniture, rugs, decorative art, mirrors and accessories.

This is not close-out merchandise -- everything is new. There are many high-end brands. The owners recommend that before coming to Brandon, shop around to compare prices on the same furniture.

Heather and Chip Hassan, who also own Brandon outlets in Denver and Scottsdale, Ariz., started out as customers at the first Brandon in Palm Beach, Fla. They were so intrigued by the Brandon concept they just had to become part of it. All of this was related to me by Heather, the charming young woman who owns and manages the Las Vegas store while husband and partner Chip oversees the other stores. Las Vegas is home base for the Hassans.

Brandon's hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; by-appointment weekdays are flexible.

Heather said, "If the doors are open, come in." New merchandise arrives almost daily. At least five to seven truckloads arrive weekly and are unloaded almost immediately. Everything on the floor is for sale. Buy it early and it will be delivered the same day.

"What we're trying to do with our stores," Heather said, "is make shopping fun. The atmosphere is casual, there are no gimmicks. Nothing is marked up so that we can mark it down."

Everyday prices are discounted 30 to 70 percent. I had to look twice at some items, the prices were so good.

Brandon's tickets are coded, but easy to read. Just ask any representative of the terrific sales staff. Don't wait if you see something you like -- more than likely it won't be there the next time.

I stopped by Sunday afternoon and found the store filled with serious shoppers. But the mood was friendly, the atmosphere congenial. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, bottled water and soft drinks were offered as part of the fun.

I wandered the floor taking in the vast amounts of English, French and Chinese furniture, antique and reproductions. The oil paintings are on canvas and beautifully framed. No one claims this is serious art, but it's certainly decorative. The mirrors are marvelous. The frames alone could not be bought for the price. "The volume of sales makes such low prices possible," Heather said.

The mattresses are gorgeous. Plush white fabrics and fine details are hallmarks of fine bedding. I had a grand time sitting in chairs and examining furniture backs. Shoppers with a wish list can ask for a room to be assembled. In minutes the staff will set it up. The staff is the best informed I've ever met. All except one is a former customer.

What's the future for Brandon? "I think it will eventually be the largest furniture outlet in the country. It's already the Home Depot of fine furniture," Heather responded.

Brandon has a "no return" policy so inspect merchandise carefully. What you see is what you'll get. Delivery charge is a $75 flat rate. The delivery people will put together tables, beds, etc.

Same-day furniture -- purchased and delivered. What a neat concept.