Gabby, Summer Classics Open Luxury Furniture Store In Annapolis

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Gabby and Summer Classics spent about $850,000 preparing to open, so Trippett wants shoppers to take their time browsing the 11,600-square-foot showroom.

Trippett hopes to offer beer from Pherm, a Gambrills brewery, to guests exploring the “idea and design center.” One of the nine employees would be happy to mix Black-Eyed Susan cocktails for visitors. Mimosas and wine are also available.

There are additional soft drinks and coloring books for children in the business’s hospitality suite.

“Spend some time in the store,” said Trippett, 39. “I don’t want it to be a 10-minute in-and-out.”

Six interior designers will walk customers through the indoor and outdoor furniture options.

The showroom is stocked with plenty of choices, but every piece is custom-made even if it’s the same model. Shoppers can pick everything from the fabric style to the seating depth and whether there are nailheads.

Trippett said they don’t create “Walmart furniture that’s going to fall apart in a year-and-a-half.”

“We don’t have planned obsolescence,” the Annapolis resident said. “We build stuff that is built to last.”

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Each order is manufactured in America at one of the company’s three factories spread throughout Alabama and North Carolina.

Every piece takes roughly four days to build. In comparison, Trippett said lower-quality furniture can take minutes to assemble.

“Everything is made-to-order,” Trippett said. “We don’t have a back-filled warehouse that’s got 700 of these exact sofas already premade.”

Gabby specializes in indoor furniture. Summer Classics is its outdoor counterpart. Both brands are under the Gabriella White designer umbrella.

Gabriella White has a third division, named Wendy Jane, that focuses on pillows and rugs. Wendy Jane products are also sold in the Annapolis store.

This location is the first “next generation” Gabriella White showroom where all three lines are combined under the same roof. It’s also the first Gabriella White store of any kind in Maryland.

Catherine Brady, the town center’s director of marketing, said the neighborhood is already buzzing about Gabby and Summer Classics.

“They bring a fresh perspective to a modern nautical home, perfect for our customer,” Brady told Patch in an email.

Trippett said the business has been “warmly received” and tallied more than 1,000 guests by mid-February.

One visitor asked for replacement cushions for pieces from 2005 and 2007. The company checked its database, which includes designs dating back to the ’90s, and sent them a new pair.

These positive interactions help Trippett build brand recognition from scratch, but the general manager knows he is fighting an uphill battle.

“I have six competitors within 500 yards of my front door,” Trippett said.

Nearby Pottery Barn celebrated its move from the Westfield Annapolis mall into the town center weeks after Trippett’s store opened.

This is one of many changes at the town center, which recently completed a major renovation to add a concert pavilion and a seasonal ice-skating rink.

The shopping center has also welcomed several new businesses.

Williams Sonoma (home goods shop), Life Time (luxury gym) and Tuscan Prime Italian Chophouse & Dolce Bar (steak house) all opened in 2022.

Urbano Mexican Fare plans to launch a taqueria early this year. J. Alexander’s Restaurant expects to open this June or July. The upscale American eatery will replace Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, which closed last month.

Gordon Biersch is not the only business on its way out. Home retailer Bed Bath & Beyond announced in January that it will soon shutter its town center location.

“Annapolis Town Center is an evolving center that is staying current with the needs of our community and ensuring we offer brands that are relevant to our Annapolis customers,” Brady said. “It’s no secret Annapolis Town Center is expanding, as we have recently added more tenants and pop-ups.”

Another mixed-use development, called Beacon Square, is currently under construction across the street. This may challenge stores in the Annapolis Town Center.

The town center is not concerned about the competition, however.

“Beacon Square is going to be a great shopping center,” Brady said. “We have friends there, and quality retail centers are always a win for Annapolis.”

Trippett remains confident that his store will still stand out because it is a “perfect fit for Annapolis culture.”

“You can go anywhere and buy furniture, but what makes us different is that entire experience,” Trippett said.

Trippett, who previously worked in real estate for a decade-plus, aspires to establish the premier furniture destination in Anne Arundel County.

That all starts with this weekend’s grand opening.

Thursday will feature the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a VIP cocktail party. Friday will invite interior designers, architects and real estate agents to the store. A customer appreciation event will follow on Saturday.

Guests can get 15 percent off storewide from Thursday through Sunday.

The showroom is located at 1910 Towne Centre Blvd., Suite 100. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Customers can learn more by visiting gabbyhome.com and summerclassicshome.com.

“The showroom really is a destination,” Trippett said. “It’s not just another furniture store.”

Do you know a business that’s opening, expanding or closing in Anne Arundel County? Email jacob.baumgart@patch.com with the details.

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