MINEOLA, NY -- Linon Home Decor Products, Inc. is expanding its business to include a full line of rugs, according to Jim Ziosis, president. Steve Mazarakis, formerly chief executive officer of Hellenic Rug  Imports, has been named director of the new division.

Steve Mazarakis said he resigned as ceo of Hellenic on Thursday, Jan. 29. He remains a majority shareholder in Hellenic. Hellenic is currently in the process of "winding down its wholesale division," according to Mazarakis.

Linon Home Décor is a supplier of ready to assemble furniture and wall décor to the retail trade.  Linon’s customers include specialty stores, internet retailers and major chains.  Linon’s main offices are located in Mineola New York and satellite offices in Dongguan, China with warehousing in Newark, NJ and showrooms in High Point, Las Vegas and South China. 

 â€œWe feel this is an exciting category for Linon to re-enter. My father John Ziozis, the founder of Linon, started in the flokati business 40 years ago, so this is really getting us back into the Rug business," said Ziosis.  "We feel that Linon reentering the rug business will offer buyers an outstanding home décor selection of furniture, wall décor and rugs.”

Linon will stock rugs in both its New Jersey and Calhoun, GA warehouses. The new rug division will be introduced at the Las Vegas World Market Center, C 1232 during the upcoming World Market, Feb. 9 to 13.

The initial rug collections will include a full line of stocking rug programs, including the  Flokati rug collection, traditional, transitional and contemporary hand-tufted wool rugs, a shag leather collection and a wool "sisal" program.  In addition, Linon  will offer rugs under the Southern Living Home licensing program

Linon Area Rugs will offer both container as well as warehouse direct ship programs. These will include the above categories and new products such as polyester/acrylic tufted rugs in over 150 designs, indoor outdoor programs, a large assortment of opening price machine made rugs and many Flokati colors and qualities. 

In an exclusive interview with Rugnews.com, Mazarakis said that Hellenic has closed its wholesale showrooms in Atlanta, High Point, Las Vegas and New York and is winding down its wholesale division.

"Peter Rogakis, chief operating officer and a company shareholder, is currently running Hellenic," said Mazarakis. "Hellenic remains a going concern and it is honoring its delivery commitments. Hellenic owns inventory and will continue to service its customers. As the majority stockholder of Hellenic,  I remain available to assist the company."