Sur La Table Receives $20 Million Investment From Capitala

Capitala Group, a provider of capital to lower and traditional middle market companies, has invested $20 million in Sur La Table Inc., a premium chain retailer of a variety of upscale cooking and dining supplies.

Capitala Finance Corp., a business development company managed by Capitala, invested $15 million of senior secured debt, with the remaining $5 million invested by Capitala Group affiliated funds.

Based out of Seattle, Sur La Table is a multi-channel retailer that sells through 132 stores in the United States, as well as through its catalog, website and gift registry. It offers a broad selection of premium quality kitchenware brands and products to assist in the preparation and presentation of cooking.

In addition, the company offers the largest avocational culinary instruction program in the United States, teaching more than 100,000 cooking enthusiasts each year. The company currently has 132 locations (of which 28 are mall-based), 74 of which offer culinary programs.

Since 1998, Capitala Group's managed funds have participated in more than 133 transactions, representing more than $1.2 billion of investments in a variety of industries throughout North America. Capitala Group manages both public capital and private capital for institutional and individual investors, and seeks to partner with strong management teams to create value and serve as long-term partners.