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Barbara Warner
Barbara Anne Warner, a highly regarded merchant known for her impeccable taste and attention to detail, died of cancer at Calvary Hospice in The Bronx on Friday, January 27. She was 65.
Ms. Warner was the owner and chief merchant at H Groome, a luxury lifestyle shop located on Main Street in Southampton. Named for her maternal grandfather, the shop first opened its doors in the spring of 2001 and quickly became the destination for those seeking chic, sophisticated choices for the home.
Ms. Warner was born in Binghamton on May 28, 1946, the youngest of two children born to Dorr and Anna C. Warner. Ms. Warner graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government. After graduation, she taught school, but soon found her true passion in retailing. Her merchandising career began at Bloomingdale’s, where she trained as a buyer. She was soon tapped by Bonwit Teller and then by Barneys New York, where she served as senior vice president general merchandise manager from 1980 to 1986. Until her arrival, Barneys New York was primarily a men’s store. Among her many achievements in building its women’s business was introducing then unknown European designers, such as Azzedine Alaia and Armani, into the assortment. She also developed previously under-developed categories such as shoes and accessories into successful businesses. From 1989 until 1991 she served as senior vice president general merchandise manager at Bergdorf Goodman, and from 1991 to 1998 as executive vice president at Calvin Klein Inc., working with all divisions in both formal and informal capacities.
In 1983, Ms. Warner bought a house in Bridgehampton. At first she was a “weekender,” but fell so in love with the Hamptons that she plotted to design her life around living in her house full-time. With the opening of H Groome, that idea became a reality, bonding her ties to the community by searching the planet for the very best in home design for the Hamptons.
Although a world traveler, there was nowhere Ms. Warner was happier than being on a carefully chosen chaise lounge by the pool in her backyard on Maple Lane.
She is survived by her mother Anna C. Warner; her brother, Dorr W. Warner; a niece and nephew, Sarah Warner, and Nathan Warner and his wife; as well as many devoted close friends and colleagues.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott, NY 11975.
on Jan 30, 2012