MacKenzie-Childs

MacKenzie-Childs is a manufacturer of ceramics and retailer of hand painted imported furniture and home decor based in Aurora, New York founded in 1983 by Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs.[1][2][3][4][5]

The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2000, and in 2001 Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, purchased MacKenzie-Childs. In 2005, the company laid off several workers, including founders, Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs.[6] After Rowland restructured her management team in 2006 MacKenzie-Childs became profitable. In 2008 Rowland sold MacKenzie-Childs to Lee Feldman and Howard Cohen, part owners of Twin Lakes Capital.

MacKenzie-Childs sued founders Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs citing trademark violation, as their last name and trademarks referencing it had been sold off in bankruptcy proceedings.[7]

In 2014, Castanea Partners, a private equity firm, invested in Aurora Brands, the owner of MacKenzie-Childs.[8] In 2018 MacKenzie-Childs acquired Patience Brewster Inc.[9] Brewster, an Upstate New York book illustrator and ornament designer, joined the company's creative team, supporting the design and development of products for the Patience Brewster by MacKenzie-Childs collection.

MacKenzie-Childs is well-known for its annual Barn Sale, which in 2017, drew more than 26,000 shoppers to the company's 65-acre property in Aurora, making the event one of the premier draws for tourists in Cayuga County, New York. Held over four days, the sale draws shoppers from around the globe who come for discounts that range from 40 percent to 80 percent.[10]

References
  1. "Functional fantasies grab imagination Wichita shop promotes MacKenzie-Childs designers featured in Neiman Marcus holiday catalog". Wichita Eagle. October 12, 1996. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  2. Thomas, Laura (May 12, 2004). "Hot Stuff". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  3. Peterson, Deborah (September 3, 1992). "Whimsy: MacKenzie-Childs Gives Wings To Flights Of Fancy". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  4. Barrera, Sandra (2009-07-20). "MacKenzie-Childs brings fun back to home decorating". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  5. "MacKenzie-Childs | MacKenzie-Childs | About Us". www.mackenzie-childs.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  6. "20 employees laid off at MacKenzie-Childs". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, NY. November 17, 2005. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  7. "20 employees laid off at MacKenzie-Childs". Property Intangible. February 17, 2010.
  8. "Castanea Partners Announces Investment in Aurora Brands | Castanea Partners". Castanea Partners. 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  9. "MacKenzie-Childs acquires Skaneateles' Patience Brewster Inc". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  10. wilcox, David. "'We sell fun': The 2018 MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale, by the numbers". Auburn Citizen. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
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