HTI Buying Group Adds Four Retail Members

The HTI Buying Group, which brings together affiliated specialty retailer members to provide access to training, information and resources to improve sales and increase profits while maintaining their autonomy and independence, recently added four retailers to its membership.

Joining HTI is Cook and Craft, a kitchenware store in Old Greenwich, Conn., owned by Garrison Gunter. In addition to essential tools and electrics for the kitchen and gourmet pantry items, half of the store is dedicated to showcasing North American handmade crafts for the table.  

Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, Brandon, Fla., owned by Karen and Dave West, is another new member. The couple opened their first Rolling Pin in 1995, followed by a second store in Tampa in 1997. After closing the first two locations, the couple relaunched Rolling Pin in 2006 with a 4,500-square-foot store in Brandon that features separate culinary, demonstration and coffee centers.

Hartville Hardware in Hartville, Ohio, joins HTI with Amanda Simms, buyer and housewares manager, as its representative. The store’s housewares and appliance departments carry everything from small and major appliances to cleaning and canning supplies, dishes and pots and pans, along with a wide variety of kitchen utensils and useful items.

The fourth member is the Kitchen Store at J.K. Adams in Dorset, Vt., led by Jessi Kerner, retail director. In addition to its own cutting boards, wine and knife racks, and spice carousels, the J.K. Adams location offers three floors of kitchen gadgets and gifts, and Vermont specialty food and cheese.