Meet&CoFORT MYERS, Fla. — Matter Brothers Furniture is making a significant strategic shift by discontinuing its Florida Leather Gallery brand and preparing to open a large-format showroom under its flagship name in Wesley Chapel, a suburb northeast of Tampa.
The retailer, known for its upper-mid-market positioning, plans to shut down all five Florida Leather Gallery locations. In their place, the company will develop a new 85,000-square-foot Matter Brothers store, expected to debut in late 2027. Once completed, it will rank as the company’s second-largest showroom.
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This transition is part of a broader initiative described by leadership as “One Brand, One Focus,” aimed at consolidating operations and strengthening brand identity.
President John Matter explained that a single, larger location can match — and potentially exceed — the combined sales volume of the five smaller stores, while delivering improved profitability. He emphasized that concentrating resources under one brand enables the team to operate with greater clarity and efficiency.
As the company integrates its leather category into the core business, it plans to broaden leather offerings across its showrooms and refine how products are displayed. Select locations will also feature dedicated Leather Studio sections to enhance merchandising and elevate the in-store experience.
The move reflects a long-term strategy to simplify operations, improve execution, and create a more cohesive customer journey. Despite retiring the standalone leather brand, leather furniture will remain a key category within the company’s assortment.
John Matter noted that the shift is designed to build a more scalable and future-ready organization. By bringing leather expertise fully under the Matter Brothers umbrella, the company aims to strengthen its market presence and support sustainable growth.
Store closures for Florida Leather Gallery are expected to begin within the coming month. Final liquidation sales may run for approximately 90 days, after which the vacated retail spaces will be offered for lease. Company leadership remains optimistic, citing strong consumer demand for leather furniture as a positive factor during the transition.
From a merchandising standpoint, both brands previously shared many of the same vendor relationships, creating an opportunity to refine product selection and streamline assortments moving forward.
Operationally, the company confirmed that core systems — including order processing, fulfillment, and customer service — will remain consistent throughout the transition. This continuity is intended to ensure a smooth experience for both customers and suppliers, while improving efficiency in inventory and distribution.
Vice President Tom Matter added that the change positions the company to operate with greater momentum and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.
