The Manhattan Center for Kitchen & Bath (MCK&B) is a new one-stop shop for product selections. "For most individuals undertaking a major renovation or new construction project, the selection process is often the most daunting and time-consuming part," says Steven Naphtali, vice president of MCK&B.
Napthali is owner of Kitchen Expressions, a leader in design, sale, and installation of custom cabinetry. His partner Mayer Prager is owner of Drimmer's A&B Appliances, a highly rated appliance dealer. They combined forces to create a space for architects, designers, and remodelers to bring their clients where they could quickly and efficiently choose kitchen, bath, and lighting products for their projects.
The 10,000-square-foot, multi-level showroom has six display kitchens, six fully operable kitchens, a 12-seat cooking theater for live cooking demonstrations, bathroom vignettes, a home theater display, closet systems, and conference rooms. "We work a la carte. You can purchase just a faucet from us, or we can build a house using our contracting division. We have refined the renovation process so you're just dealing with a few people vs. a cast of characters," Napthali says.
Napthali says most other showrooms display a range of cabinet doors in small vignettes. "We installed complete kitchens with appliances so the customer can get a feel for the entire kitchen," he says. Having a working kitchen gives homeowners an idea of how the appliances look and feel, Prager says, and also provides a place for manufacturers and staff to demonstrate how they work. "The relationship after the sale is as important as before the sale," he says.
