Harveys Buckles Up for Retail
Harveys Industries Inc., the Santa Ana, Calif.–based company best known for its seat-belt bag, is ramping up to open a small chain of retail stores.
The company, founded by husband-and-wife team Dana and Melanie Harvey, recently named Joe Citizen head of retail sales, a new position created to pave the way for a retail launch. Citizen has 16 years of retail management experience with companies including Gap Inc., Apple Computer Inc. and Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc. He will be responsible for helping Harveys open its first store at The Lofts at City Place, an artist loft complex with ground-floor retail that is across the street from the Westfield MainPlace mall in Santa Ana.
“We are looking to open stores in high-end markets nationally and internationally, especially in Japan,” Citizen said. “We feel the best way to impact our customers is to keep things simple.”
That will translate into a simple store design and enhanced customer service, Citizen said.
Also joining the company is Trenna Harvey, Dana’s sister, who will become head of wholesale sales, said company spokesman Joe Stilletto.
Harveys has been doing brisk business with Amazon.com and Nordstrom Inc., Stilletto said.
The Harveys launched the company in 1997 with their signature seat-belt bag. They happened upon the idea for the accessorywhen they installed seat belts in their 1950 Buick and made a bag for Melanie out of the leftover material. The idea caught on. All the bags are made in Santa Ana.
The company ventured into apparel when it debuted a line at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios last year but has since dropped the line to concentrate on purses and accessories. —Deborah Belgum
