| SARASOTA, FL…April 25, 2008, was an | | | | from Toledo: General Manager Marcie White and |
| exciting day for DirectBuy of Sarasota Franchise | | | | Marketing Manager William Rockne. "They're both |
| Owners Rich and Katherine Miller. Not only did they | | | | incredible assets to our showroom and we are so |
| host the grand opening of their new showroom, but | | | | happy they were both able to come to Sarasota," said |
| they also celebrated more than 25 years of helping | | | | Rich Miller. "With their help, we hope to bring the same |
| consumers save on home improvement projects, | | | | ambiance we had at the Toledo showroom." |
| furnishings and accessories. | | | | To celebrate the opening, DirectBuy of Sarasota |
| In 1980, the Millers worked as marketing directors for | | | | hosted a grand opening event in their new 15,000 |
| the DirectBuy showroom in South Bend, Indiana. Just a | | | | square-foot showroom on Friday, April 25, 2008. The |
| short time later, they moved to Columbus, Ohio to | | | | event began at 6 p.m., with the Chamber of |
| manage the DirectBuy location there. And in 1987, Rich | | | | Commerce assisting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In |
| and Katherine took their combined knowledge and | | | | attendance at the event were Commissioner Fred |
| belief in the DirectBuy vision and opened their first | | | | Atkins and County Administrator Jim Ley. |
| franchise in Toledo, Ohio. | | | | About DirectBuy |
| "For 27 years, we've been providing consumers with a | | | | For over 35 years, DirectBuy has been showing |
| low-cost, 'one-stop shopping' destination where they | | | | thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save |
| can furnish, build or renovate their home," said owner | | | | as they shop for virtually everything for in and around |
| Rich Miller. "And we've loved every minute of it." | | | | their homes - from furniture, carpet and flooring and |
| After serving the Ohio area for 21 years, they sought | | | | custom window treatments to kitchen and bath |
| a change of scenery and decided to turn their beloved | | | | cabinets and fixtures, appliances and much, much |
| family vacation spot into their new home and place of | | | | more. DirectBuy enables members to purchase |
| business. | | | | products from several hundred manufacturers at more |
| "We really enjoyed vacationing in Sarasota and | | | | than 150 showrooms across North America. To learn |
| couldn't get enough of the beaches and scenery," said | | | | more about DirectBuy, visit or |
| Katherine Miller. | | | | DirectBuy Membership |
| The Millers were familiar with the Sarasota area and | | | | Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of |
| soon found the perfect spot to open their new | | | | Sarasota are encouraged to attend an exclusive |
| DirectBuy showroom. Conveniently located at 7246 | | | | Open House event, which is designed to educate |
| 16th St. E, #108 in Sarasota, their full-service design | | | | families about DirectBuy's unique business model. The |
| showroom is a short drive off US Highway 301. | | | | Open House also helps consumers better understand |
| To assist them in getting the showroom up and | | | | how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup |
| running, the Millers enlisted two of their staff veterans | | | | when purchasing brand-name merchandise. |