March 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on March 14, 2010
The American Furniture Hall of Fame is accepting nominations through May 10 for extraordinary leaders in the furniture industry.
While only members are eligible to nominate, second and vote, our membership is open to anyone in the home furnishings industry," said Don Belgrad, president of teh American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. "We encourage you to join us to play a major role in honoring those who most deserve recognition. Join a vibrant organization that is committed to preserving our stories through the research, collection and preservation of our cultural, economic and artistic history.
The guidelines and documents are posted on the
Foundation Web site for downloading and submissions. Candidates may be an original nomination, re-nomination or posthumous nomination. A digital 300 dpi photo is needed and all nominations require a second sponsor, in writing, by another foundation member. An independent selection committee will select the final ballot. There is a $500 fee to help defray the costs of the nomination and recognition process for first-time nominations.
Following the May 10 deadline, ballots, along with a list of nominees and their biographical information, will be mailed June 1. Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 16. The nominees will be recognized with a personal video and inducted at the American Furniture Hall of Fame banquet Oct. 17 during the Fall High Point Market.
To join the Hall of Fame Foundation, individual and corporate memberships range from $250 to $1,000. All contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation and sent to 202 Neal Place, High Point, N.C., 27262.
The completed nomination package must be postmarked no later than May 10, and sent to American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., 202 Neal Place, High Point, N.C., 27262. For questions or printed copies of the nominations package, call (336) 882-5900.
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industrywide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. The organization is based in High Point.
March 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on March 14, 2010
A&R Furniture, Paso Robles, Calif., has donated $1,000 to the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum and $1,000 to the Paso Robles Children's Museum, the Paso Robles Press reported Friday.
The funds were part of proceeds from the A&R's Customer Appreciation Weekend sale in November.
Owner Noreen Martin-Hulburd had announced last fall that A&R would close the San Luis Obispo store, and continue with only the Paso Robles location, but changed her mind.
"Our customers have justified our decision to keep both A&R locations open," she said in the report. "We had considered consolidating but thought better of it after hearing so much encouragement from the community. It was the right thing to do."
Martin-Hulburd chose to make donations to the Children's Museums, where children and families are able to play and learn together in a protected environment, for their role in the local community.
March 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on March 14, 2010
Taylor's Furniture will close its store in downtown Sarnia, Ontario, after 78 years in business, the Sarnia Observer reported Sunday.
A going-out-of-business sale starts April 3.
"We've decided it's time to go," said Co-Owner Nancy Dease in the report. "We survived the tornado in 1953 and we survived a fire in 1999, but the economy shot us down."
She'd been considering retirement for the several few years, but stayed open because she enjoyed the business and her customers.
March 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on March 12, 2010
At some point in February, almost every single state had snow on the ground, but that wasnt enough to keep house-bound consumers from a little shopping therapy.
According to the National Retail Federation, February retail industry sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 1.0 percent seasonally adjusted over January and 1.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted over January but decreased 1.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Electronics and appliance stores sales rose 3.7 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month but decreased 0.3 percent unadjusted over last year.
February retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted over January and 4.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
February could be the direct result of cabin fever with consumers eager to get some fresh air and enjoy a day of shopping, said Rosalind Wells, chief economist for NRF. We expect sales increases to continue but high unemployment and other economic factors will restrain consumers ability to splurge on discretionary items.
Other sectors who had their share of sales increases include clothing and clothing accessory stores whose sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 0.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores sales increased 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted from January and 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution.
March 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 12, 2010
Hooker Furniture expects minimal damage to furniture inventory from a fire yesterday at one of its warehouses in its hometown of Martinsville, Va.
The fire was contained to an approximate 2,000-square-foot portion of a 100,000-square-foot bay, one of five bays in the warehouse. Employees were evacuated immediately and there were no injuries.
"As a result of the fast response by all parties, we expect minimal disruption of order fulfillment," said Ray Harm, senior vice presidentsales, in an announcement.