Last week’s Top Drawer marked the final trade show for Patrick Newton, managing director of Two’s Company by Mulhouse. Having spent 30 years as the UK distributor of the American gift company, he has taken the decision to retire, with the parent company currently looking to find a new UK distributor.
Looking back to how it all began, he told GiftsandHome.net: “My then wife Caroline started a business in 1988 as Mulhouse Designs selling decorative stencils. A year later, she went to the Atlanta Gift Show, met up with the owners of Two’s Company and took on two of their lines. Over the past three decades that has gradually expanded to 2,500 lines. We have exhibited at some 120 trade shows in the UK, to include Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Top Drawer and Home & Gift in Harrogate, with September’s Top Drawer the very last trade show for us.”
With Caroline no longer involved with the business, and Patrick ready to “relinquish my responsibilities and have some space in my life, possibly moving into something new and fresh”, he says that, in tough trading times, it’s the right time for him to retire. “However, I will miss our fantastic customers,” he admits, “many of who came to Top Drawer to say goodbye to me and reminisce about the many products they’ve bought from Two’s Company over the past 30 years.”
Two’s Company was started in the US by Bobbie Gotlieb and her husband in the ‘60s. Bobbie remains hands on in the business, with her son Tom Gotlieb at the helm as President.
The brand is split into three divisions: Two’s Company gift and home accessories; Chic fashion brand, and Cupcake.
Top: Two’s Company by Mulhouse’s Patrick Newton said farewell to some long standing customers at last week’s Top Drawer.
