Sharper Image Expands

Sharper Image Corp., the San Francisco-based specialty retailer of high-quality products designed to make life easier and more enjoyable, announced its newest store opening at Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills, Ill.

The retailer is a national leader in specialty sales through its catalog and internet sales, and has recently stepped up the pace of opening new stores. Currently, the company operates over 100 stores throughout the United States, and is slated to open 12 new stores in fiscal 2001, an increase from nine last year and five in 1999.

The Hawthorn Center store features Sharper Image's new, updated store design with a brighter and lighter atmosphere, designed to appeal more equally to male and female shoppers. Richard Thalheimer, founder, chairman and ceo said, “We are encouraged by our customers enthusiastic response to our innovative product mix. This is our seventh store in Illinois, and we are confident the Hawthorn Center store will prove to be an outstanding addition to this vibrant area.”

Both the new store design and the company's array of specialty products can be viewed at www.sharperimage.com.