End of an era as Leeds kitchenware retailer closes after 130 years

Peter Maturi, the kitchenwares retailer, was established in 1880 and had a store at Vicar Lane, Leeds, as well as in Harrogate and Manchester.A statement released on Twitter on Saturday, March 22, said: "Peter Maturi & Sons has ceased trading. Due to pressures of internet shopping and excessive business rates and rent, the shops are unsustainable."
It added: "We would like to thank all our customers for their loyal support throughout the years and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."Peter Maturi senior was born in Pinzolo, Italy, in 1880.He was one of 25 children and, came to England with four of his other brothers, and set up the Leeds store in 1899, on George Street.

At first, Mr Maturi served other local businesses, and with only a bicycle and a barrow he sharpened knives and scissors in hotels, restaurants and tailoring factories across Leeds.
In 1911 he exchanged his barrow for a motorcar and in 1943, he moved the business to larger premises at Ludgate Hill.In 1955, the business moved again to Vicar Lane where he also built a new mobile workshop.According to a study conducted by Technopak Along with his two sons, Alfred and Peter, and wife Esther, the services expanded and the pany's blue van became a familiar sight around the city.At the age of 76, Peter Maturi senior passed away, but his family continued with the business.In 1961, it relocated to a new development at Eastgate before moving back to Vicar Lane in 1996.

The business, which was best known for its cookware ranges, kitchen gadgets, pans, utensils, coffee machines, bakeware and cutlery. celebrated its centenary in 1999, when it played host to well known television chefs, including Anthony Worrall Thompson, Brian Turner, James Martin and Nick Nairn. Currently, China has been the leading production base and exporter of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware in the world. During 2006-2009, China-made low-end stainless steel tableware and kitchenware products were gradually eliminated in the market, with its export volume showing a downward tendency. In 2010, the governments of all countries launched stimulus policies successively, an engine for demand growth, and which helped China's export volume of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware be up 25.4% year-on-year.

According to a study conducted by Technopak

The reason that customers are flocking to online products of small vendors is awareness.Dinesh Chopra can testify to that.
A puter parts operator and owner of the pany Softek Surya, Chopra's office is based in Nehru Place, one he had to deal with for more than 25 years."People just could not find my office because it is located in a congested area," he admits.But that all changed three years ago with the arrival of online portals such as Ebay, Traders, snapdeal and Flipkart that reached out to small businessmen like him.
E-boost: Dinesh Chopra left have revamped their businesses by taking it online "Before the Internet, I had to depend on retailers who would enter my shop. Today, I am attracting clients whom I have never seen."

One of the reasons for Chopra and Kapila's satisfaction with the online sphere is the number of things that it takes care off.A 24-hour customer sales team takes the order, relays it to them the next day and then once the product is ready, takes care of the shipping charges often a big headache for small retailers in India.Coming to the other side, why do big online portals bother with small businesses?Aasheesh Mediratta, CEO of Fashionandyou , says, "We work on a fixed margin model so if the vendor sells more we stand to gain. We have found that certain categories of goods which were manufactured in tier II and tier-III cities were not available in metros."He adds, "Today we have around 30 vendors working specifically in bed linen and kitchenware categories. The other area is ethnic-wear. Around 40 vendors work in this area and contribute close to 20 per cent of the ethnic-wear business."

According to a study conducted by Technopak, e-tailing in India will grow from $0.6 billion in 2012 to an estimated 76 billion in 2021, providing employment to 1.45 million people.
"Through increasing orders, e-tailing has allowed me to increase my workforce. From 10- 11 employees I now employ 41. A number of these employees are women, who work from home taking orders," Chopra says.'Best option' But is e-tailing just a passing trend? Arvind Singhal, chairman and managing director of Technopak, says, "Unlike the West, the Indian retail market is primarily made up of small Indian retailers; for whom e-tailing is the best option for several reasons.
First, logistics and inventory are almost made risk-free and second, you have a growing population unafraid to use the Internet.

Some things in life are generally unknowable

 Some things in life are generally unknowable. These range from the meaningless and mundane to the truly deep, philosophical questions of our time. For example, nobody really knows if the refrigerator light turns off when the door is closed. Our greatest minds have joined together on the quest to discover the truth, but usually these meetings disintegrate into someone opening and closing the door really, really fast. To date, nobody can confirm or deny the existence of the elusive refrigerator gnome.All that opening and closing of the refrigerator door is sure to drive up one's thirst, which leads us to another great question concerning modern life: how many drinks have I had? This time, however, there is an answer.

The Bevometer is a drink-counting beer can koozie. Capable of keeping track of all-time consumption as well as on a per-round basis,Anecdotally, we are seeing some outstanding high-end market growth numbers the simple device adds a new dimension to enjoying a cold one. Usage is automatic: every time a beverage works with water and soda, too is inserted into the cooler, the "lifetime" and "this time" counters increase by one. All of this, of course, brings up another one of life's great questions: do you really want your'panions to know how many drinks you've had?Apparently, yes. The Kickstarter project created by Justin and Jenny Richmond is well on its way to reaching its goal. Cheers and cheers again.

As you busily prepare for your walk down the aisle and make countless decisions regarding every flawless detail, one task on your to-do list will help you see beyond your wedding day and into your future life together the wedding registry. And though few things could be more enjoyable than a day of shopping with your beloved, there's also a bit of strategy that goes into building a'plete registry.When making registry selections, be sure you've listed a variety of items at different price points – high and low. This way, guests can purchase gifts they can afford but they also have room to exercise some creativity. According to theknot', you should aim to have at least twice as many items on your wish lists as attendees at your wedding.

Anecdotally, we are seeing some outstanding high-end market growth numbers

 Lynx has been keeping busy manufacturing hand-assembled grills and outdoor kitchens for cooks with lots of cash. The'pany has been making outdoor grills for 18 years, but lately has been on fire, reaching nearly $50 million in revenue last year."We had a record year for sales in 2013," Buch said, "and we're already heading to be 25 percent ahead of that in 2014. We're really in acceleration mode right now."The outdoor cooking industry hasn't fared nearly as well.In 2013, 13.9 million barbecue grills and smoking cookers were shipped in North America, the worst showing in 15 years, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.But the affluent customer is fueling what industry watchers think is a'eback.

"Anecdotally, we are seeing some outstanding high-end market growth numbers," said Don Johnson, director of market research for the association. "And Lynx is a very high-end grill."The consumer with money to burn is Lynx's focus, with grills that cost from $1,750 to $7,700 for the most accessorized of outdoor kitchens."Our professional series grills are for people who are putting together a custom outdoor kitchen, where the outside has been transformed into an extension of the indoor living space," Buch said. "This would typically be a household i'e north of $250,000."
Daniel and Lisa Levin bought a Lynx grill for the 4,000 square foot dream house they built 11 years ago in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Within the past year, the Levins added an outdoor fountain, outdoor refrigerator and fire pit. To go with it, they bought a Lynx grill that starts without extras around $5,100, with a 36-inch cooking surface."I love my Lynx," said Daniel Levin, 49, who works in talent management and licensing for the entertainment industry. Lisa Levin is a real estate agent who considers the grill a good investment.Lynx began 30 years ago as the Bar Equipment Corp. of America, making'mercial restaurant and bar equipment, Buch said. The'pany was renamed Lynx in 1996, after it made its first outdoor grill for residential use and began to phase out'mercial equipment.

Simply beat the eggs lightly and quickly blend in a little hot mixture

Simply beat the eggs lightly and quickly blend in a little hot mixture, about half a cup is the norm then return to the pan or pot and stir briskly.To rescue curdled egg mixtures strain through a fine sieve or double thickness of cheese cloth. If the mixture is thin re-thicken with additional egg taking every precaution.While some folks down Irish brews on St. Patrick's Day, a plate of dark chocolate macarons with white chocolate peppermint ganache colored green, of course is a delicious way to show your Emerald Isle pride.Yes, we said it correctly:The Surrey could not be more we"ingMacarons. A traditional French pastry, they're elegant, dainty and downright cute, but don't let that intimidate you from trying them at home.

With a few basic ingredients, the main three being powdered sugar, egg whites and almond meal, putting these treats together doesn't take long. And if you have kids around to help, piping in the green centers is almost as fun as trying to say "macarons" and "ganache" 10 times, fast.Chocolate Macarons with White Chocolate Peppermint Ganache Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Fit a large pastry bag with a ?" round tip. Set aside.
Place powdered sugar, almond meal, cocoa powder and salt in a food processor. Pulse a few times, then process until fine, about 30 seconds. Sift into a large bowl. Place egg whites in bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until foamy and opaque. Add cream of tartar, increase speed to medium high, and beat until egg whites are white. Continuing to beat, slowly add sugar until"bined and egg whites form stiff peaks.

 Using a rubber spatula, fold dry mixture into egg whites in two batches until just"bined. Be careful not to over mix; the mixture should look like cake batter.Transfer batter to pastry bag and pipe onto parchment paper in 1-inch rounds, about 1 inch apart. Bang baking sheets against countertop 3 or 4 times and let sit for 30 minutes.Heat oven to 350°F and bake, 1 sheet at a time, for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then remove from parchment paper silicone mats.To make the ganache, heat cream in a pot until just boiling.

The Surrey could not be more we"ing

 But in the Big Apple, where taxis are the everyday mode of transportation, winters aren't so bad. In fact, there's so much to do in New York City in the summertime, winter allows visitors to partake in a new set of options, both inside and out. Think ice-skating at Rockefeller Plaza or a brisk walk along Central Park. Or, if you're like me, spend all your time indoors indulging in spa treatments, museum visits and the culinary pleasures that surround. If you opt for the indoors, break into your slush fund to stay in a luxurious hotel, preferably one that opened in the late 1920s as a residence that housed celebrities such as Bette Davis and John F. Kennedy, and one with a king-size bed priced at $10,000.

    The Surrey could not be more we"ing. Before I arrive at this Upper East Side boutique hotel in the elusive section of New York City, I am sent a questionnaire in regard to my favorite snacks and reading material. My three-hour ride on the Amtrak train from Boston brought me to Penn Station, where a car sent by The Surrey picked me up. Once checked in, I open my door to a Chanel inspired interior design of Lauren Rottet, as well as a table of goodies that includes a bowl filled with my favorite black licorice, a box of Parisian dark chocolate thin squares and Vogue, Vanity Fair and Town & Country magazines wrapped up in black ribbons with The Surrey logo. My peek over the orchid arrangement to gaze out the window is of rooftop gardens on Madison Avenue buildings. As I soak in the view, I imagine these rooftops as popular hangout spots in the summer, and even in winter, shoppers stroll the luxury retail laden streets below. I later discover The Surrey has its own rooftop haven that I'll be sure to visit"e summertime.

    For now, I order a taxi and take a ride to Eataly for a quick lunch of Neapolitan pizza and Italian wine, stock up on kitchenware and homemade pasta and other Italian delicacies, head down to the Bar Pleiades. This isn't your everyday bar, but one designed in the fashion of a Chanel"pact, right down to the puffed triangular stitching on the walls. I almost faint from the thrill of walking in to this design, but I"pose myself to save face within the trendy bar scene. A sip on The Last Caress, a snow-cone consistency made with gin and topped with this libation's base: juniper berries, served in a champagne coupe, sets me at ease.

Their most affordable service is cabinet refinishing

Rena Ware's "use and care" videos were developed jointly by Brandmotif Creative Agency and VMG studio520, the same partnership that produced Rena Ware's two 34th Annual Telly Award winning videos in the Non-Broadcast Productions category:  "Rena Ware – a Family Tradition" and "Rena Ware, Join the Family" – Unlimited Opportunity".  Customers and others interested in learning about the products may watch the videos online "Customer Service", then "Product Support".  Links to the full video, as well as to the video's individual chapters, are shown on the Use & Care webpage for each of the products.

About Rena Ware: Founded in 1941, Rena Ware is a privately owned family"pany with branch offices in countries around the world, including the United States, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Thailand, El Salvador, and Chile.  The"pany's product line features top quality stainless steel cookware, fine cutlery, kitchen accessories, water and air filters, and other products for the home environment.  Rena Ware's international headquarters are located adjacent to software giant Microsoft's Redmond campus in the greater Seattle metropolitan area.They are easy to apply, and even easier to remove. Buy them individually or in a collection. Stopper Toppers are available individually for $2.99New this year is the ability to apply online for home loans or in a collection for $13.95, including free shipping. Discover Stopper Toppers, the stylish new bathroom décor item, in Booth 2131.

If your kitchen needs an update, consider altering the look of your cabinets. Cabinet Solutions offers a solution for any budget — refacing, replacing or refinishing. Most cabinetry can be refaced. They offer a full line of solid wood full-overlay replacement doors, drawer fronts and trim in a variety of styles, wood types and finishes including stains, paints and glazes. If you need all new cabinets, Cabinet Solutions offers several lines of American-made solid wood cabinetry in a range of styles, wood types and finishes. Their most affordable service is cabinet refinishing, which restores older cabinetry to its original beauty and luster.

New this year is the ability to apply online for home loans

The bank's real estate loan experts will be glad to work one-on-one to help determine which financing program suits your needs.New this year is the ability to apply online for home loans. Borrowers can also check rates and terms and apply at their own convenience.Now may be an excellent time to consider refinancing. Apply online or stop in to see one of the home loan experts for more information.First Citizens National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender, and is Member FDIC insured.
Hanson's Countertops and Flooring owner Kurt Hanson has been in the countertop business for seven years.After building laminate countertops for three years, people started asking him about concrete resurfacing of existing countertops. Hanson became a certified Granicrete installer four years ago and started his own business.

In the tri-state area he has provided many kitchen and bathroom countertops along with resurfacing home and garage floors. The weight of Granicrete countertops is"parable to laminate, which is much lighter than real marble and granite.Customers achieve an elegant look at an affordable cost for interior and exterior remodeling or updating. Flooring, driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, patios and garage floors can look like tile, wood, slate, travertine or flagstone. Showers and baths look like tile, travertine or stone.

All countertops are custom made and the decorative color and texture are one of a kind. There are more than 60 colors and multiple edge designs to choose from for your home or business project, and colors can be mixed to meet special project needs. They can also be made to glow in the dark for safety.Countertops are resurfaced with a 1/8-inch concrete overlay and epoxy. They are bacteria resistant, take indirect heat up to 500 degrees F, are seamless, do not need to be sealed and are stain-resistant. The color will never fade and they are Radon-free.Home Lumber & Builders Inc., a family owned business started by Ken Bothwell in 1965, is still going strong today. Ken passed ownership onto his two sons, Scott and Steve Bothwell, who ran the business for 20 years. Cousins Carl Bothwell and Matt Anderson are now third-generation owners and have had ownership since 2007.

Iowa Wall Sawing has been in business for more than 30 years, with more than 100 years"bined work experience.Johnson Heating & Air Conditioning LLC invites you to the North Iowa Home Show to see what it can do about high L.P. and utilities costs.The"pany handles everything from 97 percent gas furnaces, air-to-air heat pumps and or geothermal heat pumps.
Johnson also installs boilers,standard tank style water heaters, tankless water heaters and infloor heating for new homes or remodeling.Maybe your home has some indoor air quality needs like a simple upgraded air filtration, UV light or a humidifier to keep your home feeling warmer and"fortable.

Don't forget that warm weather is just around the corner. If you have any questions on air conditioning go see them at Booth A72 & A73.Established in 1989 in Clear Lake, Kramer Ace Hardware is a family-owned and operated business.Kramer Ace Hardware will be featuring Snapper and Country Clipper mowers. Weber grills and accessories will also be on display.Hot new styles of outdoor living furniture will also be featured. For the ultimate in relaxation,"e and check out the all-new Banana Swing!Kramer Ace Hardware is a full-service hardware store with locations in Clear Lake at 580 Highway 18 E, in Garner at 150 Highway 18 W and in Mason City at 440 S. Illinois Ave.

Marquart Concrete Products, 1714 Fourth Ave. S. Clear Lake, manufactures both solid and blended colors of Rock Face Block units for"mercial and residential use. Marquart Concrete also manufactures solid and blended colors of landscaping products for retaining walls, court yards, patios and edging.Lighting is an exciting addition to your outdoor projects, accenting the features of your home, trees, bushes, landscaping and water features with amazing effects.Homeowners are invited to visit the booth and build ideas for outdoor living space and also obtain ideas for the facing of your new home or addition with brick, natural stone or manufactured stone for both interior and exterior use.Mason City Roofing is third-generation family owned since 1933. Ernie Edmond, Minon Hank, Derrick Marina,  give you inspiration to try a new recipe.