EXHIBIT 99.1

                 ACORN PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF NEW CHAIRMAN

     Acorn Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRN) announced today that its Board of
Directors has elected W. Wallace Abbott as Chairman of its Board of Directors.
Mr. Abbott, who has been a director of Acorn since January 1997, is a retired
senior executive of Procter & Gamble.  Mr. Abbott brings with him extensive
experience in consumer products marketing and general management to the
Chairman's role.  Mr. Abbott replaces Conor D. Reilly as Chairman, who resigned
from his position as director and Chairman of the Board of Acorn pursuant to the
policies of the law firm in which he is a partner.  Mr. Abbott commented, "I
look forward to contributing to the operational vision and direction of the
Company.  With the changes made in the management team and the support of our
majority stockholder, the Company is poised to take advantage of its strong
relationships with its customers, vendors and employees."

     Acorn also announced today that investment funds arranged and/or managed by
Oaktree Capital Management LLC and Trust Company of the West (the "Funds"),
which collectively constitute the majority stockholder of Acorn, made a capital
infusion of $6 million into Acorn's operating subsidiary, UnionTools, Inc., in
connection with a simultaneous amendment (the "Amendment") to Acorn's existing
credit facility with a group of lenders led by Heller Financial, Inc.

     Cory Meyer, Acorn's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are
gratified by the confidence that our majority stockholder and other
constituencies have shown in the new management team and are excited about the
opportunities ahead of us.  We believe that now we have the resources necessary
to carry out our operating plan that will enable us to continue to drive the
business forward and improve stockholder value."

     Acorn Products, Inc., through its operating subsidiary UnionTools, Inc., is
a leading manufacturer and marketer of non-powered lawn and garden tools in the
United States.  Acorn's principal products include long handle tools (such as
forks, hoes, rakes and shovels), snow tools, posthole diggers, wheelbarrows,
striking tools, cutting tools and watering products.  Acorn sells its products
under a variety of well-known brand names, including Razor-Back-TM-, Union-TM-,
Yard 'n Garden-TM-, Perfect Cut-TM- and, pursuant to a license agreement,
Scotts-TM-.  In addition, Acorn manufactures private label products for a
variety of retailers. Acorn's customers include mass merchants, home centers,
buying groups and farm and industrial suppliers.

     Razor-Back-TM-, Union-TM-, Yard 'n Garden-TM- and Perfect Cut-TM- are
registered trademarks of Acorn.  Scotts-TM- is a registered trademark of The
Scotts Company.

     The statements contained herein that are not purely historical are forward
looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
including statements regarding Acorn's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions
or strategies regarding the future.  All forward looking statements contained
herein are based upon information available to Acorn as of the date hereof, and
Acorn assumes no obligation to update any such forward looking statements.




Actual results could differ materially from Acorn's current expectations.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not
limited to, the factors and risks discussed in Acorn's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, Acorn's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated September 18, 1997, as amended on October 29, 1998, and as may be amended
from time to time, and the other reports filed from time to time by Acorn with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: John G. Jacob, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Acorn
Products, Inc. (614) 222-4400.