ABC Carpet Continues Sale of Antique Rugs from Dealers Forced to Leave Murray Hill

NEW YORK - "The Oriental rug district in New York City is coming to an end after more than a half century as the preeminent center for antique rugs," says Graham Head, vice chairman of ABC Carpet & Home. He blames the demise on ever-escalating rents in Manhattan, and to some degree on changing consumer tastes.

During the 30 years he has been involved in the antique rug business, Head has built strong friendships with many of the antique rug dealers affected. In response, ABC announced in March that it had partnered with Larry Feldman of Loom & Weave and some of the most sought after of these dealers to host a large-scale antique rug sale at ABC Carpet & Home's Manhattan location from March 17 through April 4.  Today a spokesperson for ABC said response has been very positive, and by popular demand the sale would continue online through April 13 and in store through the month of April.

According to ABC, this event is the first and last opportunity for the general public to gain access to a collection of more than 1,000 hand-made, one-of-a-kind rugs of this caliber in one location.  The spokesperson said the rugs are heirloom-quality rugs and priced at a fraction of their value.

ABC Carpet & Home is hoping this event will help regenerate interest in antique rugs with an emphasis on slow and timeless design while bringing attention to the demise of the mercantile industries of New York. "This is especially important at a time when there has been a return to local and handmade design with many artisans surfacing throughout the five boroughs. If the city does not provide communities to support these creative industries, they will end up just like the Oriental rug district - and soon become extinct," Head explained.

He points out that since the early 1940's, the Oriental rug district in New York City has occupied the area between 28-33^rd streets, and was at one time a thriving hub for designers and collectors. "The 80's and 90's were a time of significant growth, and the district attracted buyers from all over the world. Since then, the area has met with the challenges of the ever-evolving urban landscape that has already shuttered many artisanal and mercantile communities in the metropolitan New York area," he said.

Over the years, the cost per square foot has risen dramatically and the dealers have been left no choice but to leave and find alternative locations outside the city to operate their businesses.  Now, Graham says some of these dealers are being forced out of their leases without an option to renew. Current real estate prices in the city and the surrounding areas have left them with no choice but to close businesses that have existed for generations. 

"It is time to shine a light on craftsmanship and shift the perspective of consumption, encouraging shoppers to buy better and buy less. Antique rugs have prestige and value that go beyond their price - they are ageless works of art that can be passed down from generation to generation. They are the very meaning of timeless design. We hope this event will attract a new generation of consumers, given the accessible price points."

04.03.15