Evan Cole

Evan Cole (born 1st of January 1961) is the American founder and CEO of H.D. Buttercup, a home furnishings and interiors retailer. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Cole attended Boston University when he was 16 years old.

For the American actor, see Evan Alex Cole.

Career

Cole's entrepreneurial journey started when he secured the first-ever licenses to sell IBM personal computers and franchise retail VAR One Hour Photos. He also ran a seasonal holiday store called the Holiday Spirit before entering the home furnishings industry.

In 1982, Cole joined the ABC Carpet Store on 19th and Broadway in New York. He expanded the product line by adding an eclectic mix of rugs, antiques, linens, bodums, furniture, lighting, and accessories from his travels around the world. He founded ABC Home in 1985 and opened their first restaurant in 1997.[1] Through combining unexpected pieces and decorating styles together, Cole introduced the home as fashion concept. He created a mix and match fashion aesthetic that had never been done with furniture. In 1994, Cole received the NRF (National Retail Federation) Retailer of the Year award.[2]

As Chief Executive of ABC Carpet and Home, Cole was responsible for the company's annual revenue growth from $3 million in 1982 to $170 million in 2004, when he left the company.[3]

Entrance to the Timothy Oulton Gallery at H.D. Buttercup

In 2005, Cole opened the first H.D. Buttercup store in the historic Helms Bakery complex in Los Angeles which had over 100,000 square feet of maple floors, redbrick walls, and 30-foot exposed beams. The open layout store is powered by solar electricity and carries furniture, gifts and accessories. In addition to in-house lines, the space houses showrooms of top designers, including Timothy Oulton, Andrew Martin, Stark Carpet, Lillian August, and Cisco Brothers, making it a popular destination with interior designers.[4]

In 2010, Cole opened a 500-square-foot H.D. Buttercup store in the SOMA neighborhood (South of Market, San Francisco) of San Francisco.[5]

In 2014, H.D. Buttercup opened a 44,000-square-foot store at the SOCO design centre in Costa Mesa in Orange County.

In 2015, H.D. Buttercup opened a 25,000-square-foot store in Santa Monica at the former Fred Segal store, and a new 30,000-square-foot worldwide headquarters and company store in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles, housing a completely new urban style.

Cole is an active real estate investor. In 2007, he paid $4.8 million for a 2,500 sq ft (230 m2) apartment at 15 Central Park West.[6] In 2011, he put it on the market for $9 million.[7] Cole was cited by Conde Nast Portfolio Magazine as Personal Finance Winner in the December 2008 issue.

Awards
  • NRF (National Retail Federation) Retailer of the Year Award, 1994
  • Personal Finance Winner, Portfolio Magazine, December 2008.

References
  1. "Kolodny, Lora (2005-10) Inc. Magazine". Inc.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  2. Strom, Stephanie (1995-01-30). "Is It the Next New York Miracle ?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  3. "ABC Carpet & Home Co. Inc. History". Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  4. Keeps, David A. (2005-03-10). "Make way for the 'manutailer'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  5. Le, Anh-Minh (2010-12-26). "H.D. Buttercup opens in S.F". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  6. "The Real Deal". Therealdeal.com. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  7. Chaban, Matt (2011-03-26). "The Double-Your-Money Flips Continue at 15 CPW". Nyc-architecture.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  • Levine, D., Smart Investor in Real Estate, Evan Cole, Conde Nast Portfolio, December 2008, p. 58.
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