Olinde's, Harkness take Top Retail Awards from NAHFA

April 7, 2014  by in Furniture Retailing, Industry   

Tom Olinde, Olinde’s Furniture in Baton Rouge, La., is the NAHFA 2014 retailer of the year in the category of businesses with a sales volume of $10 million or above. Olinde’s has been a southern Louisiana mainstay since 1886. The retailer operates 12 furniture and bedding stores, including two large full-line Olinde’s stores, two bedding superstores, and eight Ashley Furniture HomeStores.

Dave Harkness, Harkness Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., is the NAHFA 2014 retailer of the year in the category of businesses with sales volume under $10 million. Harkness Furniture was founded in 1920. The 60,000 square feet of showrooms feature top-name home furnishings displayed on four floors, as well as a sleep center and a Furnish 123 gallery next door.

The 2014 North American Home Furnishings Retailer of the Year awards will be presented June 1 at the annual Home Furnishings Networking Conference in Phoenix.

“Congratulations to Tom and Dave,” said Sharron Bradley, NAHFA’s CEO. “All of the nominees are exceptional retailers with compelling stories; the judges really had their work cut out for them.”

NAHFA members in good standing were nominated by members of the home furnishings industry based on service to the industry and communities and for providing an exceptional customer experience in their stores. A selection committee, comprised of two members of NAHFA’s board of directors; two NAHFA members; two manufacturers; two service providers/suppliers; and two members of the industry media, reviewed the nominations.