Vietri Inc. – importer of fine Italian handcrafted dinnerware, flatware, glassware, linens, decorative accessories and garden urns – marks its 30th anniversary in 2013.
The company began celebrating the milestone during the Fall Tabletop Show in New York City Oct. 9 at a cocktail reception. Founder Susan Gravely toasted to 30 years of success in the Vietri showroom at 41 Madison Avenue surrounded by colleagues, friends, customers and the press.
Gravely, along with her sister Frances and mother Lee, founded Vietri in 1983 after a family trip to Italy, where they fell in love with colorful hand-painted dinnerware from the Amalfi Coast. Vietri has grown from a small company representing one Italian factory to the largest importer of handcrafted Italian products in the American tabletop industry.
“Starting Vietri with my mother and sister was such an amazing experience, and being a part of its success has been a constant joy,” Gravely said. “To do what you love with people you love every day is what life is all about. I can hardly believe that we have been doing this for three decades now! We are so proud of how far we’ve come and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next 30 years with Vietri.”
The company serves a customer base of more than 2,000 top specialty stores in all 50 states, plus Canada, England, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. Vietri now represents approximately 40 manufacturers throughout Italy.
Renowned for its classic Italian designs, as well as innovative, trend-setting collections inspired by Italian haute couture colors and patterns, the Hillsborough, NC -based company introduces new products twice a year at major gift and tabletop shows across the country.
In honor of its 30th anniversary, a party will be held during each trade show in January 2013 in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Dallas. While celebrating is an important part of this milestone, Vietri said it also feels a responsibility to give back to the people and communities that have supported the company for years. Vietri is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in the Hillsborough, NC area in 2013.
