Couristan Inc. in PHPBB Business Shopping Directory

For over 80 years, the Couristan brand has been revered as an icon of style and quality for its exquisite area rugs, wall-to-wall carpeting and custom floorcovering fashions. Founded in 1926 by brothers Basil J. Couri and George J. Couri, Couristan, Inc. has been privately owned and operated by the Couri family for two generations. Today, the business has a global presence as it continues to thrive under the creative vision and innovative leadership of brothers George G. Couri, Chairman, and Ronald J. Couri, President and CEO. An embodiment of the quintessential Amercian Dream, Couristan began its rich history over eight decades ago with humble beginnings in New York City. The company, which quite appropriately was orginally named Couri Brothers, was established as a direct importing business specializing in fine handmade area rugs from Persia. This in itself was no small task, as Ron Couri remembers of his father and uncles adventurous excursions: I recall listening to their travel stories in absolute amazement. First they took a trans-Atlantic ship to England, then another boat to the mainland of Europe. Once there, my father and uncle rode the Orient Express inland through several countries. The last leg of the trip was a long, treacherous drive through the desert of Persia, which they finally reached 32 days after leaving New York. Needless to say, it was quite a journey. Some of the first area rugs imported by Couri Brothers were from Smyrna, an ancient city which is now part of Turkey. At that time, the company began affixing trademark labels reading Couristan to the back of each and every area rug it imported. This mark was composed from the familys surname Couri and the frequently used suffix stan, referring to the region of small weaving villages from which the company imported its products. The trusted Couristan name, and its high-end floorcovering designs, became widley popular and by 1927 the company was broadening its horizons and importing area rugs from India. Despite the economic break down of the Great Depression, Couristan continued to expand as a global importer and in the 1930s the company began importing hand-hooked rugs from China and hand-braided rugs from Japan. For 30 years, between the 1930s and 1960s, Couristan was regarded as one of Americas largest importers of Japanese braided area rugs. Recognized as true trend-setters, Basil and George Couri helped create a lucrative marketplace and subsequent demand for handmade Oriental area rugs throughout the United States.

Address: Two Executive Drive, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Telephone: 800.223.6186
Fax: 201.585.8552
Website: http://www.couristan.com/