Custom furniture, designer fabrics, classic lighting, unique gifts, exquisite floral arrangements, and decorative accessories. These are just a few of the business ventures of Plainville native Charles Comeau, an entrepreneur who is gaining recognition and business from dignitaries, celebrities, and every day people throughout the U.S. and beyond.

Indeed, his Dessin Fournir furniture design company, founded in 1993 by Comeau and business partner Len Larson, has built furniture for dignitaries such as Vice President Dick Cheney and celebrities Arnold Schwarzeneger, Sir Elton John, and Janet Jackson. Dessin Fournir furniture collections are featured in 14 show rooms throughout the United States and one in Canada. Gerard, a second Dessin Fournir furniture line, characterized by clean lines and simplistic detailing, was used for the movie set of Mel Gibson’s What Women Want.

Even though his products have gained international recognition and are featured in metropolitan area showrooms, Comeau attributes the success of his companies to Kansans— his employees, people of the community, and staff at the KDOC&H.

"The State has been wonderful," Comeau said. "They’ve done everything they can to help us out, and they continue to do so." Comeau has received assistance through various KDOC&H programs, including the Kansas Economic Opportunity Initiatives Fund (KEOIF), the Kansas Existing Industry Expansion Program (KEIEP), the Kansas Industrial Training Program (KIT), the Kansas Industrial Retraining Program (KIR), Enterprise Zone tax credits and exemptions, and the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP).

Comeau is a firm believer in Kansas and has moved several operations from California to Plainville as proof.

"We’re Kansans by birth and love it here," he said. "We moved our manufacturing back here (from California) because of the work ethic and quality of the work force."

In addition to Dessin Fournir and Gerard, Comeau’s other companies include related businesses in Plainville and Hays.

Classic Cloth, founded in 1996, produces luxurious fabrics for residential use, modeled after centuries-old designs. The textiles are imported to Plainville from 13 mills in nine European countries.

Palmer Hargrave Lighting, purchased in November 1999, was moved from Oxnard, Calif., to Plainville during the first half of 2000, creating six jobs in the community.

Comeau and his wife, Shirley, opened CS. Post & Co., A General Store, 117 W. 11^th, Hays, in 1997. Touted as "a hip updated version of the general store" by Elle Decor magazine, it offers unique gifts for the home and self. Its web site, www.CSPost.com, was created in-house.

Exquisite flower arrangements, wedding consultation, and event planning are available at Regeena’s Flowers and Events, located inside C.S. Post and at 112 S. Main, Plainville. Check it out at www.regeenasbycspost.com.

Dessin Fournir and The Planing Mill entered into a joint venture in January 2001 to manufacture the Gerard furniture line, as well as the C.S. Post retail furniture line. The Planing Mill has been in continuous operation since 1896, manufacturing custom architectural millwork and cabinetry.

The Pineapple Post carries fine gifts, decorative accessories, and interiors at 111 N. Jefferson, Plainville. The store has been in operation for over 20 years and is managed by Shirley Comeau.

In 1999, Comeau formed Liberty Group, a private development company that works in cooperation with the non-profit Downtown Hays Development Corporation, to acquire and revitalize buildings in the downtown Hays area. Liberty markets downtown Hays as the "Chestnut Street District." As a development company, Liberty Group refurbishes and maintains the downtown properties, while securing niche businesses to re-create downtown Hays as an appealing destination.

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