For a suggestion on comparable products I would check out Sam's Club. They have some stuff made by "Seville" that looks almost like the Gladiator, just a different color as far as I could tell and less expensive.
I am in CT too, not sure what part you are in but I would check out the both the...
Looks awesome, that large poster definitely completes the room.
Thanks for posting your progress and pictures, always interesting to follow a transformation.