Cantoni
“Cantoni,” says one of America’s leading furniture designers, “attracts a sophisticated
clientele and goes to great lengths to learn what they want and how to provide it. It’s simply
the best store of its kind in the country.”
Becoming the best didn’t happen overnight, nor are we resting on our reputation. The driving
force behind Cantoni’s continuing success is not only the best in contemporary design, but
the "great lengths" to which we go to make every customer who walks in the door feel at
home and realize this is not just another furniture store.
Michael Wilkov is an entrepreneur who combined his knowledge of contemporary design with
his instinctive business sense, and set out to succeed in a specialty area of the furniture
industry. The result was Cantoni, one of the nation’s leading retailers in contemporary
furniture, accessories and design services.
Founded in 1984, Wilkov began with a small store in Dallas, but quickly expanded in 1994 to
establish the Cantoni concept with a 60,000 square-foot showroom, warehouse and business
center. In 1992, Wilkov opened a small Cantoni showroom in Houston, and expanded in 1996
with the opening of a 22,000 square-foot facility in the heart of the city’s premiere shopping
district. Wilkov also opened a 42,000 square-foot Irvine, California showroom and warehouse
in March 2000. Now, in the latest chapter of the Cantoni story, Wilkov will open a fourth store
location in Los Angeles in fall 2002, featuring 10,000 square-feet of contemporary home
furnishings.
The success of Cantoni is based on Wilkov’s commitment to offering the highest quality
merchandise and unparalleled customer service. Since its inception, Wilkov has successfully
kept Cantoni focused on what it does best — being a retail leader in contemporary furniture,
accessories and interior design services. Staying true to its niche industry, Cantoni has
established a reputation for offering exceptional contemporary home furnishings from around
the world.
Cantoni founder, president and CEO Michael Wilkov immigrated to Dallas from his native
South Africa in 1983 with the notion of opening a high-fashion clothing store. With a business
degree, extensive retailing experience and a love of fine design, Wilkov believed he could
build a successful business bringing contemporary style to Dallas — though the store plans
took a different course that led to furniture. From the beginning in 1984, Cantoni has never
looked back for which Wilkov credits the Cantoni team and their dedication to excellence in
customer service and the loyalty of Cantoni’s valued customers.