Fire House Casual Receives ICFA’s Mary Fruehauf Retail Genius Award

March 2, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The retailer was lauded for its bright, colorful merchandise assortment that was shown in accessorized settings and featured creative signage. Of special note was the display of 17 live burning fireplaces in the Raleigh location.

High marks were also given to the company’s “Fermob Ain’t Flimsy” promotional campaign including “cheeky table talker” on-product signage to educate consumers about the line of classic, French bistro chairs and tables plus images and video used on Facebook and Instagram.

The award was established by the ICFA Retail Council in 2017 in memory of Mary Fruehauf, whose Colorado outdoor furnishings store was known for its imaginative visual merchandising and entertaining promotional events.

All ICFA retail members were invited to compete for the award by sending information reviewed by a team of judges, who included industry veterans and close personal friends and colleagues of Fruehauf: Mariah Maydew, who succeeded her as president and CEO of Fruehauf’s in Boulder, Colorado, Cathy Galbreath-Buzbee, owner of ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Brian Lawrence, president of Emigh’s Casual Living, Sacramento, California.

The sassy plexiglass trophy was previously presented to Village Green Home and Garden in Rockford, Ill., and Great Gatherings, with stores in Virginia and Maryland.