Amitabh and Supriya Himatsingka Buy Into Calico, Specialty Retailer of Decorative Fabrics
November 18, 2019
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. – Amitabh and Supriya Himatsingka have bought a part of Calico, the retailer with 70 design stores across the U.S.
Founded in 1948 as Calico Corners, the company is the largest specialty retailer of decorative fabrics, custom window treatments, and soft furnishings for the home, according to the company.
Amitabh and Supriya Himatsingka, who did not give details on the deal, are veterans of the textile industry. Now the president and CEO of Calico, Amitabh was involved with family mills in India for 30 years. Supriya, the vice president of design and development, is a graduate of F.I.T. with a degree in textile and surface design. She also had her own business, creating fabrics and accessories for the juvenile market. They live in New York City and Unionville, Pennsylvania, near Calico corporate offices.
Former owner, Bert Kerstetter, continues as chairman at Calico.
In addition to Calico, the Himatsingkas have another business venture, Textiles 360, a two-year-old wholesale company based in New York City. Textiles 360 sells high-end fabrics to American jobbers and others from select mills all over the world, with a special focus in India.
Calico owner Amitabh Himatsingka (l to r), Margaret Thurmond, vice president of store operations, and owner Supriya Himatsingka.
“It has been inspiring to see the dedication of Calico employees and the work ethic that brought the company to where we are today,” Amitabh says in a statement. “We are optimistic about our future together.”
Calico has evolved since its inception in 1948 when the first Calico Corners store opened in Bedford Village, New York. In 1970, the company was purchased by Everfast, Inc., a firm that had been converting fabrics since 1896. Gradually, Calico stores were established in most major markets across the U.S. Today, with 70 stores and online business, Calico has grown to be the largest specialty retailer of decorative fabrics in the country, offering thousands of designer fabrics and managing fabrication through a network of professional workrooms.
The company offers custom window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, bedding, furniture, slipcover and reupholstery, pillows and cushions. Calico enhances the shopping experience with free in-store and in-home professional design consultation. The company headquarters are in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1948 as Calico Corners, the company is the largest specialty retailer of decorative fabrics, custom window treatments, and soft furnishings for the home, according to the company.
Amitabh and Supriya Himatsingka, who did not give details on the deal, are veterans of the textile industry. Now the president and CEO of Calico, Amitabh was involved with family mills in India for 30 years. Supriya, the vice president of design and development, is a graduate of F.I.T. with a degree in textile and surface design. She also had her own business, creating fabrics and accessories for the juvenile market. They live in New York City and Unionville, Pennsylvania, near Calico corporate offices.
Former owner, Bert Kerstetter, continues as chairman at Calico.
In addition to Calico, the Himatsingkas have another business venture, Textiles 360, a two-year-old wholesale company based in New York City. Textiles 360 sells high-end fabrics to American jobbers and others from select mills all over the world, with a special focus in India.
Calico owner Amitabh Himatsingka (l to r), Margaret Thurmond, vice president of store operations, and owner Supriya Himatsingka.
“It has been inspiring to see the dedication of Calico employees and the work ethic that brought the company to where we are today,” Amitabh says in a statement. “We are optimistic about our future together.”
Calico has evolved since its inception in 1948 when the first Calico Corners store opened in Bedford Village, New York. In 1970, the company was purchased by Everfast, Inc., a firm that had been converting fabrics since 1896. Gradually, Calico stores were established in most major markets across the U.S. Today, with 70 stores and online business, Calico has grown to be the largest specialty retailer of decorative fabrics in the country, offering thousands of designer fabrics and managing fabrication through a network of professional workrooms.
The company offers custom window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, bedding, furniture, slipcover and reupholstery, pillows and cushions. Calico enhances the shopping experience with free in-store and in-home professional design consultation. The company headquarters are in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
