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Most great retail stories start the same way: with a spark.
Sometimes it’s a baker who has spent years hunting for the perfect tools. Sometimes it’s a couple who fell in love with cooking during travels abroad. And sometimes it’s a lifelong entrepreneur who knows their town or city deserves a place that celebrates the joy of home cooking.
But taking that spark and turning it into a real store —with real customers, real vendors and real profits — is where most dreams stall.
That’s where HTI Buying Group steps in.
“We know what it takes — because we’ve done it for 30 years.”
For three decades, HTI has been the guide behind countless independent kitchenware stores across the country. New entrepreneurs come with passion. Established store owners come with experience. But all of them share the same question:
“How do I turn this vision into something that lasts?”
HTI’s answer is simple: with a plan, with support and with the right partners standing beside you.
The Journey Begins With a Vision — HTI Makes It Real
It usually starts with a conversation. Someone calls, saying, “I’ve always wanted to open my own kitchen store, but I don’t know where to begin.”
HTI helps them begin — literally.
Together, they build a smart, realistic Business Plan — one that reflects their vision, the local market and a roadmap for success. HTI guides entrepreneurs through the next steps, helping them plan for growth, expansion and the natural evolution of their businesses. It’s not about the end — it’s about building a store designed to thrive today and tomorrow.
Then come the steps: location, store design, category planning, training, staffing, assortment strategy and opening timeline. What feels overwhelming on your own becomes achievable with HTI guiding each stage.
“HTI (and HTI President KC Lapiana and her team) provided comprehensive consulting services to redesign my store’s floor plan, optimizing efficiency and enhancing the overall experience for customers. The redesigned layout improved foot traffic flow, while the organized and categorized displays enhanced the visual appeal and clarity of the store. Additionally, the consultants identified and resolved specific placement challenges, contributing to the overall success of the redesign.”
– Bren Isgitt, Kiss The Cook, Wimberley, TX
A Behind-the-Counter Education You Can’t Get Anywhere Else
One of the moments new entrepreneurs remember most is stepping into HTI’s onsite, real-time kitchenware store for the first time.
Here, they ring a few sales, restock a few shelves and talk with actual customers. Suddenly, everything clicks.
This is what the daily rhythm feels like.
This is what real retail looks like.
It’s hands-on, confidence-building and completely unique in the industry.
The Power of Being Connected to the Right Vendors
Every new store needs great merchandise — but finding the right vendor partners can take years.
Unless you’re with HTI.
Members are introduced directly to the manufacturers and distributors who shape the housewares industry. They get access to curated assortments, trusted vendor programs and buying power that new stores rarely enjoy on their own.
It’s not just support — it’s acceleration.
“I utilized HTI’s consulting services to open my store, East Elm Kitchen Co., in Plymouth, Michigan, in 2023. I had no prior retail experience and had never opened a business before, but KC and the HTI consulting team took me from business plan to open doors in seven months. Their expertise in business modeling, planning, product mix and assortment, merchandising, floor plan layout, and more was crucial to my success at our launch and in ongoing operations. KC and the team did an excellent job guiding me through the necessary decisions and actions, while ensuring that the business ultimately still had my style and personal brand on it. I deeply valued the care KC took to ensure my shop’s identity was not cookie-cutter and remained uniquely my own. I had a 5-Star experience utilizing HTI’s consulting services and highly recommend this service to others.”
– Rebecca Nicholson, East Elm Kitchen Co., Plymouth, MI
The HTI Showcase: Where New Stores Find Their Identity
Ask any HTI member about an unforgettable moment in their journey, and many will tell you about walking into the Annual HTI Showcase in Atlanta.
Hundreds of the top vendors.
The newest products in the industry.
Education sessions, networking, and a community of fellow store owners who understand exactly what you’re building.
For many entrepreneurs, this is where their store truly takes shape — where ideas turn into assortments and assortments turn into a first-year buying plan.
And Then, the Best Part: Success
In towns across the country, shoppers are discovering new independent kitchenware stores — bright, well-stocked, personal places where cooking feels joyful again.
Behind many of them is HTI.
Their recent stores are thriving: strong sales, engaged customers and owners who feel supported every step of the way. And when challenges arise — as they always do in retail — HTI is there with analytics, education, coaching and solutions.
Because HTI doesn’t just help you open your doors.
They help you keep them open, year after year.
Every Great Store Starts With a Story. Yours Begins With HTI.
If you’ve imagined opening your own kitchenware shop — or if your existing store needs a new chapter — HTI Buying Group offers the mentorship, tools, connections and experience to make it happen.
Your story is waiting.
HTI is ready when you are.
About HTI Buying Group
Since 1996, HTI Buying Group has proudly supported independent brick-and-mortar kitchenware retailers.
With decades of experience and a strong foundation in education, HTI equips members with the tools, knowledge and insights needed to confidently and profitably operate successful kitchenware stores.
Members benefit from exclusive vendor partnerships that include negotiated discounts, dating terms, freight programs and ongoing promotional opportunities on every purchase.
HTI also offers personalized consulting services tailored to both new and established retailers — providing guidance on store openings, merchandising strategies, assortment planning and business analytics.
To foster connection and continued growth, HTI hosts exclusive member-only meetings with vendors and retailers at major markets, including Atlanta and Chicago. Our trade shows go beyond buying opportunities — they’re dynamic forums for peer learning, industry education and sharing best practices across the kitchenware and gift retail space.
HTI Buying Group Mission
HTI empowers entrepreneurs to confidently open and operate retail kitchen stores through strategic consulting, operational expertise and industry experience. In 2026, HTI will broaden this reach by introducing our New HTI Gift Division.
Meet the HTI Team
KC Lapiana, Owner & President
Lapiana leads HTI Buying Group’s strategic vision, drawing on her experience as an independent retailer to support member education, vendor partnerships and long-term business planning focused on sustainable growth.
Jim Lapiana, CFO
Lapiana oversees HTI’s financial analytics, providing retailers with detailed performance analysis, forecasting tools and data-driven insights to support strategic planning and vendor alignment.
Robert McGinnis, COO
McGinnis manages day-to-day operations and planning, working closely with vendors and retailers across HTI programs, trade shows and publications.
Lara Pasko, HTI Assistant
Pasko handles onboarding for new members, maintains the HTI website, and supports HTI communications through editorial contributions and social media development.
