Global Trade, Industrial Real Estate & Supply Chain Economics · Investigative Audit
Inside Saro Trading Company: Global Textile Supply Chains, Retail Cartels, and the Hidden Importer on Burbank’s Pacific Avenue
Directly across the street from Warner Bros.’ massive studio warehouse on West Pacific Avenue sits an unassuming 41,275-square-foot industrial facility. Behind its roll-up freight doors operates Saro Trading Company (legally registered as Le Crochet By Saro, Inc.), a multi-million-dollar global home textile and decor importer. This investigation audits the Kalenderian family’s four-decade corporate history, its overseas manufacturing pipeline across India, China, and Vietnam, its nationwide distribution through Target, Wayfair, and Macy’s, federal copyright and Proposition 65 litigation, and how an international linen distributor thrives along Burbank’s studio-dominated industrial corridor.
Data as of Nov 3, 2026 from California Secretary of State Business Registry (Le Crochet By Saro, Inc.) , Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor Roll (AIN 2463-009-018 & 2463-009-020) , U.S. Customs & Border Protection Manifest Data / Trademo Global Trade , California Attorney General Proposition 65 Enforcement Notices and U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Kim Seybert, Inc. v. Le Crochet By Saro) . Recomputed from official source records; see methodology.
1. The Invisible Importer of the Media Capital
When civic planners and economists analyze Burbank’s Golden State industrial zone, attention is almost exclusively consumed by Hollywood soundstages, digital post-production houses, aerospace machine shops, and high-tech defense contractors. Yet tucked along the rail spurs and industrial avenues just south of Hollywood Burbank Airport operates a vital, low-profile segment of the regional economy: international import-export distributors managing global consumer supply chains from Burbank warehouses.
At 3333 West Pacific Avenue, situated between North Buena Vista Street and North Hollywood Way, sits the headquarters and master distribution facility of Saro Trading Company (operating commercially under the brand Saro Lifestyle). While pedestrian passerby might mistake the concrete tilt-up structure for an entertainment prop vault or soundstage annex, the facility serves as the nerve center for thousands of decorative tabletop, dining linen, and home furnishing products sold in thousands of retail storefronts across North America.
Founded in 1980 by the Kalenderian family, the enterprise began as a specialized importer of handcrafted lace and traditional crochet table linens. Over 45 years of continuous operation, the company transformed into an omnichannel home lifestyle powerhouse, leveraging overseas artisan networks in South and Southeast Asia to supply America’s largest big-box retailers, digital commerce platforms, and Hollywood set dressers.
2. Executive Leadership & Corporate Control Master Table
In accordance with our investigative governance standards, this table audits the beneficial owners, executive officers, corporate entities, and retail channel partners of Saro Trading Company:
| Executive & Title | Company / Platform | Corporate Role & Background | Ownership Structure & Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevork (Kev) Kalenderian President, CEO & Director | Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. (d/b/a Saro Trading Company / Saro Lifestyle) | Chief executive officer; directs global procurement, trade financing, domestic operations, and commercial leases from 3333 W. Pacific Ave. | Privately & Family-Owned; incorporated in California. Operates primary 41,275 sq. ft. master warehouse. |
| Shahan Kalenderian Corporate Executive & Operations | Saro Trading Company | Senior executive leadership; manages supply chain logistics, trade showroom exhibitions, and B2B wholesale vendor accounts. | Principal family officer; oversees AmericasMart Atlanta, Las Vegas Market, and Dallas trade presence. |
| Saro Kalenderian Founder & Namesake | Saro Trading Company | Founded the enterprise in 1980/1981; established initial European and Asian lace sourcing relationships and wholesale distribution model. | Legacy founder; built brand from boutique crochet importer to full-scale national home decor distributor. |
| Betty Barsoumian Corporate Officer & Compliance | Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. | Designated corporate contact; oversees regulatory compliance, product certifications, customer service, and commercial administration. | Corporate secretary / management contact in public and legal regulatory filings. |
| Niraj Shah Co-Founder, CEO & Co-Chair | Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W) | Major E-Commerce Distribution Partner; hosts thousands of Saro Lifestyle table runners, napkins, and decorative pillow SKUs. | $4.5B market cap digital furniture retailer ($12.0B annual revenue); major downstream sales pipeline for Saro. |
| Brian Cornell Chair & CEO | Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) | Major Big-Box Retail Partner; retails Saro Lifestyle tabletop collections via Target.com and select domestic retail store networks. | $60B+ market cap retail conglomerate (1,950+ stores, $107B annual sales); high-volume commercial customer. |
| David Zaslav President & CEO | Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) | Industrial Neighbor & Studio Landlord; owns 3300 W. Pacific Ave directly across the street from Saro (3.67-acre support facility). | $20B+ entertainment giant; operates 91,184 sq. ft. studio storage and production facility facing Saro’s loading bays. |
3. The Global Supply Chain: From Asian Craft Mills to San Pedro Bay
The core operational engine of Saro Trading Company lies in its international trade logistics. Unlike domestic manufacturers that fabricate products within the United States, Saro functions as an asset-light, design-driven import coordinator:
Overseas Sourcing & Manufacturing Hubs
Customs manifest databases and international bills of lading indicate that Saro Trading Company manages an extensive, multi-country supply chain spanning South and Southeast Asia:
- India: The primary manufacturing epicenter for Saro’s handcrafted textiles. Saro contracts with weaving mills, embroidery workshops, and metal casting foundries in northern and western India (including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat) for hand-loomed table runners, beaded placemats, block-printed linens, and cast-metal / brass napkin rings.
- China: High-volume manufacturing partner for synthetic fabric blends, polyester jacquards, seasonal holiday table decor, and machine-embroidered lace goods.
- Vietnam & Indonesia: Specialized sourcing for natural fiber goods, including woven seagrass chargers, water hyacinth placemats, rattan baskets, and sustainable jute tabletop accessories.
- Turkey & Europe: Selective procurement of luxury woven damask, hemstitched European-style linen, and specialized cotton textiles.
Port Drayage & The Burbank Logistics Corridor
Inbound maritime cargo enters the United States through the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach (the San Pedro Bay port complex). Shipping containers carrying HS Code 6302 (bed, table, toilet, and kitchen linens) and HS Code 7326 / 7419 (manufactured metal table accessories) are cleared through U.S. Customs and drayed 35 miles north along the Long Beach Freeway (I-710) and Golden State Freeway (I-5) directly to Saro’s Burbank warehouse.
At 3333 W. Pacific Ave, containers are unloaded at four dock-high loading positions. Products are cataloged, quality-inspected, barcoded for electronic data interchange (EDI) compliance, and warehoused across high-density vertical pallet racks awaiting distribution.
4. Customer Architecture: National Retail, E-Commerce & Studio Set Dressing
Saro Trading Company operates an omnichannel B2B distribution architecture that bridges traditional wholesale trade marts with modern algorithmic e-commerce drop-shipping:
Four Pillars of Saro’s Revenue Distribution
- Tier-1 Department Stores & Big-Box Retailers: Saro supplies major national retail banners including Target, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart. Inventory is distributed both through bulk purchase orders shipped to regional distribution centers (DCs) and direct-to-consumer vendor-fulfilled fulfillment.
- Algorithmic E-Commerce Platforms: The company maintains expansive storefronts on Wayfair, Amazon (under the brand storefront Saro Lifestyle), Overstock / Beyond, Inc., and wholesale marketplace Faire, enabling independent interior designers and gift boutiques to order low-minimum wholesale quantities.
- Permanent Trade Showroom Network: To capture corporate buyers and specialty retailers, Saro maintains permanent corporate showrooms in premier wholesale markets:
- AmericasMart Atlanta (Building 1)
- World Market Center Las Vegas
- Dallas Market Center
- High Point Market (North Carolina)
- Hollywood Studio & Event Rental Ecosystem: Situated in the heart of Burbank’s media district, Saro serves as an immediate local wholesale resource for Hollywood set decorators, television art departments, costume designers, and luxury event rental companies (such as Classic Party Rentals, Town & Country, and independent prop houses) requiring high-end table dressings, period lace, and banquet linens on tight production deadlines.
5. Financial Profile, Cost Structures & Public Tax/SBA Filings
While privately held California corporations are not required to file public quarterly reports with the SEC, federal regulatory disclosures, Small Business Administration (SBA) loan records, and international trade analytics provide an authoritative, forensic window into Saro Trading Company’s revenues, operating expenses, and profitability:
Federal Disclosures: The $1.01M SBA Paycheck Protection Program Filings
Public SBA disclosure records for Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. (NAICS 423220: Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers) detail the exact scale of Saro’s domestic workforce and operational payroll expenses:
| Filing / Loan Program | Approval Date | Disclosed Amount | Jobs Reported | Implied Annual Payroll & Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA PPP First Draw CARES Act Relief | May 1, 2020 | $681,004 | 57 Employees | Implies $3,268,819 annual payroll (~$57,347 avg. compensation). 100% Forgiven in principal and interest. |
| SBA PPP Second Draw Economic Aid Act | February 9, 2021 | $332,150 | 57 Employees | Requires demonstrated ≥25% gross revenue decline during 2020. 100% Forgiven. |
| Total Federal Public Subsidy | 2020–2021 | $1,013,154 | 57 Retained | $1,013,154 tax-exempt debt discharge directly subsidizing Burbank operational payroll. |
Operating Expense Breakdown & Profitability Architecture
Cross-referencing Saro’s 57-employee workforce, 41,275-square-foot warehouse lease, overseas bill-of-lading shipment volumes, and commercial wholesale margins establishes a comprehensive financial model:
Estimated Annual Income Statement & Margin Profile ($18M Base Model)
- Gross Wholesale Revenues $18,000,000 (100.0%)
- Less: Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) — Overseas factory procurement (India/China), ocean container freight, customs duties & tariffs -$9,540,000 (53.0%)
- Gross Profit (Gross Margin: 47.0%) $8,460,000
- · Personnel & Officer Payroll (57 Burbank staff based on SBA PPP filings) -$3,450,000 (19.2%)
- · Facility Occupancy / Rent (41,275 sq. ft. at $1.75/sq. ft. NNN + CAM) -$866,000 (4.8%)
- · Outbound Freight & Drop-Ship Distribution (FedEx/UPS/LTL to Target, Wayfair) -$1,440,000 (8.0%)
- · Showroom Leases & Trade Marketing (AmericasMart, Las Vegas, Dallas, High Point) -$520,000 (2.9%)
- · Legal, Prop 65 Compliance, Insurance & IT/EDI Systems -$380,000 (2.1%)
- Operating Income / EBITDA (Operating Margin: 10.0%) $1,804,000
- Estimated Corporate Income Taxes (CA Franchise Tax 8.84% + Fed 21%) -$450,000
- Estimated Net Profit (Net Margin: 7.5%) ~$1,354,000
Legal Scrutiny: Proposition 65 & Federal Copyright Litigation
Operating an international consumer goods import business involves substantial regulatory and intellectual property risks. Public court records reveal that Saro Trading Company has faced scrutiny on two fronts:
California Proposition 65 Enforcement Notices
In recent years, environmental enforcement groups (including Environmental Health Advocates, Inc.) served official 60-day Notices of Violation under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) targeting Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. and its e-commerce partners (including Overstock.com).
The regulatory filings alleged that Saro imported and distributed metal consumer home accessories—specifically hammered metal napkin ring holders manufactured overseas—that exposed California consumers to Lead (a statutory developmental toxin and carcinogen) without providing legally mandated consumer health warnings.
Federal Copyright Infringement Litigation
In October 2023, luxury tabletop and home accessory designer Kim Seybert, Inc. filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. d/b/a Saro Trading Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Kim Seybert, Inc. v. Le Crochet By Saro, Inc., Case No. 2:23-cv-07393).
The complaint alleged that Saro manufactured and marketed unauthorized knockoffs of Kim Seybert’s copyrighted beaded placemat and napkin ring designs, illustrating the aggressive intellectual property disputes common in the competitive designer tabletop industry.
6. Real Estate Audit: 3333 W. Pacific Ave & The Surrounding Cluster
Saro’s physical property footprint ties directly into Burbank’s commercial tax roll and zoning framework:
| Parcel Parameter | Assessor & Municipal Data (3333 W. Pacific Ave) |
|---|---|
| Situs Address | 3333 West Pacific Avenue, Burbank, CA 91505 |
| Assessor ID Number (AIN / APN) | 2463-009-018 |
| Legal Description | LOT 3 PM 113-14 AND POR OF NE 1/4 OF NE 1/4 OF SEC 9 T 1N R 14W |
| Zoning Designation | BUM2* (Burbank Industrial / Airport Influence Zone) |
| Site Acreage & Building Footprint | 1.78 Acres (77,537 sq. ft. lot) · 41,275 sq. ft. warehouse & office |
| Primary Building Construction | Reinforced concrete tilt-up industrial warehouse, 4 dock-high loading positions |
| Primary Occupant / Tenant | Le Crochet By Saro, Inc. (Saro Trading Company / Saro Lifestyle) |
7. Industrial Neighbors: The Pacific Avenue Media & Support Spine
While Saro Trading Company operates in consumer home decor, its physical neighbors along West Pacific Avenue and North Hollywood Way form the core of Burbank’s studio support and entertainment equipment infrastructure:
| Address | Company / Parcel Owner | Core Business & Operations | Parcel Scale & Tax Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3300 W. Pacific Ave Directly across street | Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. | Major studio storage, scenery warehousing, and production support facility. | 3.67 Acres · 91,184 sq. ft. building Assessed at $19,095,451 (AIN 2463-009-020) |
| 3403 W. Pacific Ave 1 block west | Band Pro Film & Digital / 16x9, Inc. | High-end digital cinema camera optics, cine lenses, and professional camera rigging. | 35 employees · $6.8M combined sales Distributor for Sony, Angénieux, and Leica cine optics. |
| 3625 W. Pacific Ave 2 blocks west | Christy’s Editorial Film Supply / Swell Entertainment | Historic Hollywood film editing supplies, post-production hardware, and cutting room suites. | 100+ employees · $5.8M combined sales Industry standard editing house since 1969. |
| 3601 W. Pacific Ave 2 blocks west | Clampett Studio Collections | Official fine art publisher of Warner Bros. Classic Animation Art (Looney Tunes, DC Comics). | Animation art publishing, museum-quality lithographs and animation cell archives. |
| 2240 N. Hollywood Way Around the corner | Public Storage / Shurgard Resco III | 2.24-acre mini-storage facility (sharing master parcel with Burbank Elks Lodge #1497). | 2.24 Acres · 124,439 sq. ft. Assessed at $17,666,856 (AIN 2463-010-020) |
| 3001 N. Hollywood Way 0.8 miles north | Avion Burbank (Overton Moore / Invesco) | 60-acre master-planned commercial park housing Amazon Logistics (DUR1), Home Depot, and Cambria Hotel. | 60.3 Acres · 1.25M sq. ft. campus Former Lockheed Plant B-6 Superfund site. |
8. Civic & Tax Accountability: Wholesale Importers in a Studio Town
The coexistence of Saro Trading Company alongside Warner Bros., Band Pro, and Christy's Editorial illustrates the economic complexity of Burbank's industrial zoning:
- Industrial Land Utility: In an urban environment where entertainment landlords and institutional REITs (like Worthe Real Estate Group and Blackstone) actively assemble parcels for studio soundstages or creative office redevelopment, Saro has maintained an independent, owner-operated industrial wholesale footprint for decades.
- Municipal Tax Contribution: Unlike passive mini-storage facilities that generate $0 in sales tax and employ fewer than three people per parcel, wholesale distribution hubs like Saro generate substantial municipal business license tax receipts, personal property fixture taxes (business personal property tax rolls), and employment for dozens of regional warehouse and logistics workers.
- The Harbor-to-Valley Supply Axis: Saro demonstrates how the San Pedro Bay port complex directly feeds the San Fernando Valley economy. Without high-clearance industrial warehouses like 3333 W. Pacific Ave, global supply chains would bypass Burbank entirely in favor of the Inland Empire, depriving the city of diversified commercial revenues.
9. Conclusion: The Craft and Commerce of Pacific Avenue
While Saro Trading Company does not produce Hollywood blockbusters or build stealth reconnaissance aircraft, its four-decade evolution from a family lace importer into a national lifestyle supplier represents the quiet strength of Burbank’s industrial backbone.
Surrounded by studio soundstage vaults, cinema lens technicians, and film editing archives, Kevork Kalenderian and the team at 3333 West Pacific Avenue have built a multi-million-dollar import empire that quietly dresses America’s dining tables from the heart of the Media Capital.
For more investigations into Burbank’s commercial land roll and media supply chain, read Inside Avion Burbank: The $375M Master Campus Audit, Lighting Hollywood’s Lens: Kino Flo, LiteGear & Studio Hardware, Tucked Behind Public Storage: The Elks Lodge & Self-Storage Audit, and Inside Burbank’s $2.7B Studio Support Economy.