Interlude Home Announces the Acquisition of Weiman/Preview.

TRUMBULL, Conn. -- Interlude Home, Inc., one of the most innovative and fastest growing companies in the home furnishings industry, today announced the acquisition of Weiman/Preview, a well established leader in contemporary upholstered furniture, formerly a division of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. The move reaffirms Interlude Home's on-going commitment to market leadership by extending its business model and design expertise to other home furnishing categories. "We know it's bold for a company specializing in accessories to buy one that designs and manufactures furniture," says Interlude President Carl Philips. "But, the challenges we've met in growing Interlude Home have been extremely complex and similar to what we face with Weiman. It's a very natural, strategic next step."

A division of Bassett since 1979, Weiman/Preview has been a recognized brand for over 40 years. Located in Christiansburg, Va., its 65 employees, many of whom have worked for the company for decades, are responsible for creating some of the most successful lines of contemporary upholstered furniture in the industry. Interlude's goal is to provide fashion and styling leadership that will increase Weiman's scope without compromising its core strengths--making it a dynamic company on the cutting edge of industry fashion trends. With the infusion of new lifestyle, color, and design concepts, clients can look forward to a number of fresh looks that will take the company in new directions.

"We are pleased Interlude Home made this move and we are confident that Weiman's strong brand name and dedicated workforce will continue to thrive with this dynamic company," said Robert H. Spilman Jr. president and chief executive officer for Bassett Furniture. "Our focus is our core Bassett business and growing our Bassett Furniture Direct retail store network."

Even in the face of change, Weiman/Preview will have a strong presence at the April High Point market with the largest introduction of new products in the company's history. The introduction will feature three new collections, including 63 contemporary sectionals, sofas, and chairs with fashion forward silhouettes and all new fabrics

As in the past, Weiman/Preview will function as an independent, autonomous company with its own management, design team, and sales force. It will continue to be home-based in Christiansburg with its current employee roster in place. "To provide the kind of unparalleled service our clients have come to expect, it's crucial to have a domestic facility," Philips explains. "We intend to maintain the integrity of Weiman on all fronts. If anything, we're looking toward expansion and creating more jobs."

The acquisition of Weiman is a mutually beneficial move--a way for Interlude Home to capitalize on its track record of success by turning its attention to another segment of the home furnishings market, and an opportunity for Weiman to explore its potential with an eye toward the future. Says Scott Coremin, Weiman's Executive Vice President and General Manager, "We're looking forward to infusing this great company with new ideas and know-how. This is a fantastic marriage of both style and vision."