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After graduating in Interior Design himself and serving in the Army with a tour in Germany, Bill’s younger brother, Charles, joined the company. It was now six years old and beginning to make a name for itself in the lighting industry. Charles wanted to take the company to the next level and become a national presence. He began working towards this goal by packing his car with samples of Country Shop’s unique products showing the quality of the work as he traveled across the United States. He established a network of sales representatives and showrooms along the way. Some of these accounts remain the most loyal of customers to this day.
Country Shop’s reputation grew in the industry due to their unique approach to manufacturing. Each item was, and still is today, crafted by hand when ordered. A designer knew that if they had a special request, the fixtures could be built to their specifications. Bill and Charles did all of the designing, so the items were original and exclusive. Custom design work was the heart of the business then and has continued to be the focus 40 years later.
In the 1980’s, the company changed its name first to Hart Country Shop and then to Hart Associates. As the line grew and expanded to meet the changes in the design world, “Country Shop” was not what the line was about anymore. Some of the items designed in that era remain in the line and are still popular. The innovations in design created an international customer base. The manufacturing, however, remained local. Hart Associates was and is now proudly made entirely in America.
After a few years Peggy Hart left the company to pursue her original goal of becoming a successful interior designer. She continues to work and create distinctive and elegant interiors. In 2003, Bill retired and now Charles is the sole owner. He has continued to keep this a family business by having his brother, Richard, remain the Factory Director, and adding his wife, Sandra, as Operations Manager, and his daughter, Stephanie as Sales and Marketing Manager/Production Coordinator.
Hart Associates has many dedicated employees who they call family as well, considering some of them have been with the company for over 25 years. Each and every one of them is an artisan in their own right and bring very specialized skills to the factory. Hart Associates is also very proud to have many loyal sales representatives who have been the “face” of the company for so many designers, studios and stores throughout the country. They are not only respected business associates, but close personal friends.
Charles is very innovative and extremely creative and has been recognized as one of the industries top designers. He finds inspiration in things most of us would never think about twice. Everyone looks forward to design time to see what new and exciting products he will create. Designers have learned that they merely need to give him the simplest outline of an idea and he can fill the need exactly as it should be.
Hart Associates has created exquisite lighting and furniture for fine hotels, country clubs, restaurants, residences, celebrity homes and embassies all over the world and even in the White House. You are invited to enjoy this site and if you have not used Hart products in your projects recently, please take time to Rediscover Hart!