Media Alert: Leon's Unveils an Exciting New Canadian Landmark

Market Wire, June, 2009

A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press.

Editor's Note: An embedded photo is also included with this press release.

Leon's Furniture Limited commemorated 100 years of business in Canada today by unveiling "The Leon's Living Room," an original, life-sized bronze sculpture honouring Leon's founder, Ablan Leon in the company's birthplace of Welland , Ontario. Leon's family members, special guests and dignitaries gathered in the Rose Garden in Chippawa Park for a first look at the sculpture which depicts Ablan Leon sitting on a couch in a living room setting, complete with two wing-back chairs and an oval coffee table.

"Ablan Leon was a true visionary who changed the retail landscape in Canada," says Terry Leon, President and CEO of Leon's Furniture. "To immortalize him in this special way is very meaningful for the entire Leon's family and all our associates. We are so pleased that we can recognize and thank Welland - the city where it all started, and a community that continues to support us 100 years later!"

"The Leon's Living Room" was created by world-renowned artist Timothy P. Schmalz , who has also crafted the Sudbury Mining Monument, The Canadian Veterans' Memorial in Waterloo, and is currently sculpting Canada's National Hockey Monument. "My vision for the Leon's piece was to create a fitting honour for what I consider an under-acknowledged man of our times, the businessman," says Mr. Schmalz. The sculpture took about five months to complete, using the traditional bronze process that has not changed in nearly 2,000 years and weighs more 2,000 pounds.

Residents and visitors are invited to interact with the bronze statue, located in the Rose Garden of Chippawa Park, by sitting on the furniture and unwinding beside one of Canada's greatest retail legends.

About Leon's

Leon's Furniture Ltd operates 64 large format Home Furnishings SuperStores across Canada, and owns Appliance Canada, a wholesale appliance business catering to the high-end building trade. The company originated in Welland, Ontario in 1909 and is Canadian owned and operated. Twelve members of the Leon family are still active in the business today and are supported by an extended family of more than 3,750 associates across the country.

To view the photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090622-LEONA800.jpg .

To view the second photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090623-leons800.jpg .

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Contacts: For more information, photographs or to interview Terry Leon, please contact: Strategic Objectives Inc., Allison Lawrence 416-366-7735 alawrence@strategicobjectives.com Strategic Objectives Inc. Ive Balins 416-366-7735 ibalins@strategicobjectives.com