Frank's Nursery & Crafts, (FNCNQ.PK)

Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Inc. operates a chain of lawn and garden specialty retail stores. The company is also a retailer of Christmas trim-a-tree merchandise, artificial flowers and arrangements, garden and floral crafts, and home decorative products. Its lawn and garden product line includes fertilizers, mulches, garden tools, planting accessories, decorative planters, and other related merchandise. The company's floral and garden decor products include a varied assortment of dried, silk, and life-like flowers for the do-it-yourself decorator, as well as pre made and custom floral arrangements. It also offers assortment of decorative candles, planters, garden statuary, and accent pieces for the home or patio. Its Christmas trim-a-tree merchandise products include artificial trees, indoor and outdoor lights, wreaths, holiday plants, and trim-a-tree items. As of January 25, 2003, the company operated 169 retail stores in 14 states, primarily in the eastern, middle-Atlantic, and mid-western regions of the United States, under the name Franks Nursery. Frank's was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Troy, Michigan.

For the 16 weeks ended 5/16/04, net sales fell 5% to $111.1 million. Net loss totaled $1.9 million vs. an income of $1 million. Sales reflect impacts from unusually wet weather in the Midwest region and less number of stores opened. Higher net loss reflects an increase in advertising costs and consulting expenses.