Costandi Designs officially opened their new Truro location Thursday, six months after first setting up shop.
For co-owner Karl Costandi, it was a homecoming of sorts as his mother first started the business more than 40 years ago from her Queen Street garage. Now the business has grown and migrated from its former North River location.
“We’re bringing in a little bit more of the middle-of-the-line products and we’ve been able to stock an awful lot more,” said Costandi. “Since we’ve moved to this location we’ve seen a very large increase in business.”
While the grand opening party was Dec. 12, the store has been open for business at 45 Willow St. since the first week of September.
The Truro location offers nearly 5,000 square feet of display space, compared to only 2,500 sq. ft. available in North River. Costandi said the former location was vulnerable to flooding.
A bigger space has allowed Costandi Designs to expand its furniture product line. High-end sofas and coffee tables were on display in Truro, with lamps and curtains.
Another product on offer is Knotwood, which Costandi said is a wood-styled aluminum cover that homeowners can use on exterior surfaces.
Helping sell such products is interior decorator Lori Byrne. She is helping Costandi Designs handle an increasing number of clients at their Willow Street location.
She works on projects with clients both in-store and at their homes, meaning she is often on the road.
“You never know where you’re going to end up in the run of a day, because we cover such a large area,” said Byrne.
That area includes northern Nova Scotia, southern New Brunswick and clients in Halifax.
“It just depends on who it is and what their needs are,” said Byrne.
Costandi’s wife Atousa is a 20-year veteran of Costandi Designs and has been married to Karl for 14 years, and is co-owner with him.
She has enjoyed working with her husband at the new location, helping to expand Costandi Designs' client base.
“It’s awesome, actually,” she said of her store. “We complement each other.”
Costandi Designs: timeline of key events
1978: Karl’s mother Monica Costandi opens a shop in her garage on Queen Street in Truro. She started off by selling small kitchen items.
1980: the business starts wholesaling to local stores.
1992: Karl Costandi takes over and shifts focus to high-quality furniture, fine upholstery and custom window coverings.
1999: Atousa Costandi (nee Kazemi) joins the team and brings her expertise in interior design.
2019: Costandi Designs relocates from North River to 45 Willow St., Truro.
