Candy Bouquet Has Acquired Site Near Presidential Center In Little Rock For Distribution Expansion

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (Friday, March 01, 2002) - Candy Bouquet International, Inc. has purchased almost an entire block south of the proposed Clinton Presidential Center and the Heifer Project International Center in downtown Little Rock. It will become Candy Bouquet's International Distribution Center. The Distribution Center is scheduled to move into the new facility next month.
Candy Bouquet awards franchises to individuals who make and market designer gifts, specializing in unique floral-like arrangements of gourmet candies, fine chocolates and bright accessories. There are 525 operating franchises in 47 states and 30 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

Acquisition is part of on-going company commitment to downtown

"We think there is going to be a wave of development in the downtowns of America and we are pleased to be on the leading edge," said Margaret McEntire, president and founder of Candy Bouquet.

"This is an opportunity to take advantage of existing facilities with great potential and to further our commitment to the inner city that has brought national recognition to our company," she said.

"We're happy to be joining those firms who will be intent on upgrading this part of town. We anticipate thousands of visitors to the museums, educational centers and facilities that will turn the area within a mile radius of our site into a vibrant and exciting place to live, work or visit.

"We're here to do our small part to restore all of downtown Little Rock into a showplace for the world."

Candy Bouquet currently has its international headquarters, training facilities and a distribution center in the Tuf Nut Building, 423 East Third Street, in which it is the majority owner.

Candy Bouquet named to Inc. magazine's Inner City 100 list

Last year, Inc. magazine named Candy Bouquet the 17th fastest-growing privately held inner-city business in America in its annual Inner City 100 list selected by Harvard professor Michael Porter and his Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. The company relocated its facilities downtown in 1999.

"We have had great success downtown," said McEntire. "We have always believed that a strong inner city will make a stronger city as a whole.

"Candy Bouquet encourages franchises in inner cities and home-based franchises that can operate successfully from a kitchen table, as well as suburban shopping centers.

"We are consistently ranked at the top of the best low-cost franchises by major franchise magazines," she said, "This smaller investment allows an individual the opportunity to start a new business without a huge investment. We help inner city franchises get off the ground."

International Distribution Center to occupy new site

Candy Bouquet will move its International Distribution Center to the new location, providing more than double the space of the current distribution facilities on East Third. The center initially will have about 20 employees. The new facility will feature a showroom displaying company products.

The company ships orders daily to its franchisees around the world. Approximately 10% of the company's revenues come from outside the United States. The location's proximity to transportation and highways is a real plus, McEntire noted.

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