James E. Bloom

Department 56, Inc. imports and sells collectible gifts. The firm engages in the design, distribution, wholesale and retail of accessories and other giftware products. Its products include collectibles, handcrafted lighted ceramic & porcelain houses and buildings. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN.

Part of Citigroup, Inc., Charter Systems, Inc. is a company that provides network services for local and wide area networks. The company is based in Plymouth, MA. The company was founded by Peter C. Cowie. Charter Systems was acquired by The BISYS Group, Inc. on August 21, 1997 for $33.40 million.

The Group's principal activity is to designer, distributor, wholesaler and retailer of fine quality tabletop, collectibles and other giftware products. The products are sold through gift, specialty retailers, department stores, and general merchandise chains. The Group also sells through its own stores and consumer-direct home show sales business. The Group's Village Series of collectible, handcrafted, lighted ceramic and porcelain houses, buildings and related accessories that depict nostalgic scenes. The products also include quality tabletop, giftware and collectibles. The Group operates in the United States and Canada.