Education
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Cole attended Boston University when he was 16 years old.
founder Chief Executive Officer
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Cole attended Boston University when he was 16 years old.
Cole"s entrepreneurial journey started when he secured the first-ever licenses to sell International Business Machines Corporation personal computers and franchise retail VAR One Hour Photos. He also ran a seasonal holiday store called the Holiday Spirit, before he entered the home furnishings industry. In 1982, Cole joined the American Broadcasting Company Carpet Store on 19th and Broadway in New New York
He expanded the product line by adding an eclectic mix of rugs, antiques, linens, furniture, lighting and accessories from his travels around the world.
He founded American Broadcasting Company Home in 1985 and opened their first restaurant in 1997. Through combining unexpected pieces together, juxtaposing a variety of decorating styles, and multi-layering, Cole introduced the home as fashion concept.
He created a mix and match fashion aesthetic that had never been done with furniture. As Chief Executive of American Broadcasting Company Carpet and Home, Cole was responsible for the company"s annual revenue growth from $3 million in 1982 to $170 million in 2004, when he left the company.
In 2005 Evan opened the first H.D. Buttercup store in the historic Helms Bakery complex in Los Los Angeles
Over 100,000 square feet of maple floors, redbrick walls and 30-foot exposed beams, the open layout store is powered by solar electricity, carries furniture, gifts and accessories. In 2010 Evan Cole opened a 37,000 square feet H.D. Buttercup store in the SOMA neighborhood (South of Market, San Francisco) of San Francisco. In 2014 H.D. Buttercup opened at 44,000 sq.ft store at the SOCO design centre in Costa Mesa in Orange County.
In 2015 H.D. Buttercup opened a 25,000 square feet store in Santa Monica at the former Fred Segal store and a new 30,000 square feet worldwide headquarters and company store in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles housing a completely new urban style.
Cole is an active real estate investor. In 2007, he paid $4.8 million for a 2,500 sq ft (230 m2). apartment at 15 Central Park West.
In 2011, he put it on the market for $9 million.