Fresh Produce buys Brogan Partners

17 Jan '12

3 min read

Fresh Produce Holdings LLC announced the acquisition of Brogan Partners; a Florida-based specialty retailer operating five stores on Florida's western coast. Scott Brogan, President of Brogan Partners and a pioneer of the Company's “Handpicked” dealer program, will join FP's Board of Managers and assume a senior leadership role within the Company. Brogan's store operations team, merchandising and buying personnel will all join the Company integrating with its organization based in Boulder, CO.

In women's apparel, the Fresh Produce brand has been known for its vibrant colors, imaginative prints, and comfortable styles for nearly three decades. The Company's clothes are available at its 25 company-owned retail boutiques, online and at more than 500 independent retailers including 13 of the Company's 'Handpicked' retail locations. The Handpicked stores utilize the Fresh Produce retail trade dress and stock a broad assortment of FP's most current styles. The Company manufactures more than 80 percent of its clothes in the USA.

“The move to merge in Scott, his team and these five great stores was very organic and natural for us,” says Mary Ellen Vernon, co-founder at Fresh Produce. “Scott and his organization have been an intimate part of developing the Fresh Produce lifestyle brand since the beginning of our partnership."

Brogan's first Fresh Produce “Handpicked” store debuted in Sarasota in 1993. Customers devoured FP's signature bright colors and relaxed styles particularly as presented in the lively store environments created by Brogan and his team. Since 1993, Brogan's store base has increased with additional locations opened in Sanibel Island (1995), Orlando (1999), Sarasota (2000), Boca Grande (2004) and Coconut Point (2007).

“Complimenting Scott's deep and intuitive understanding of the Fresh Produce brand is an extraordinarily successful retail track record,” commented Jo Stone, CFO/COO of Fresh Produce. “Scott's stores are in great markets...markets that truly embody the style and spirit of the Fresh Produce brand and lifestyle. Thanks to great markets and the strong retail culture Scott and his team have created, his are among the most successful stores in the Fresh Produce system. We are delighted with this strategic acquisition including the addition of his talented team to our organization.”

Brogan added, “Our success simply revolves around offering the highly differentiated FP line, in a fun and lively retail environment, with a big helping of good ol personalized customer service. Our stores and culture are all about imparting excitement and discovery with each visit. The relaxed lifestyle the FP brand evokes is core to its strength and I'm looking forward to working with the leadership team in Boulder to continue delivering on FP's unique brand positioning.”

The transaction is set to close by months end and is subject only to minor closing conditions. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

For nearly three decades Fresh Produce has delighted women with vibrant prints, inspired color and stylish, comfortable clothing. Collections of skirts, tops, bottoms and dresses feature a signature garment dye process that is more than 80 percent manufactured in the USA. Fresh Produce presents an almost endless array of seasonless looks that truly inspire women to live life and enjoy color.

Fresh Produce Holdings LLC

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