NHFA announced that Fiesta Furnishings in Scottsdale, Arizona, led by Claudia LeClair, and Rotmans in Worcester, Massachusetts, led by Steve Rotman, are National Home Furnishings Association’s Retailers of the Year for 2011. Fiesta is the honoree in the category of annual sales of $10 million or less while Rotmans is the honoree with annual sales over $10 million.
NHFA’s prestigious Retailer of the Year Awards are presented annually at the Spring High Point Market Furniture Industry Awards Gala. This year’s Gala will be held on Monday, April 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the IHFC Ballroom, 11th Floor, Green Wing. Candidates must be nominated by active members of the home furnishings industry. The recipients are selected for their outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to the community and personal business achievements. The award, signified by a crystal obelisk, is the highest honor the ninety-year old trade association can bestow upon a member.
Fiesta Furnishings
Claudia LeClair started doing business from her garage in 1988. She began importing accessory items from Mexico and selling them wholesale to local stores and hotels, and within a year had rented a warehouse and began selling at trade shows around the country. In 1995 Fiesta Furnishings was born when she and her husband Ralph decided to “go retail.”
Claudia has served for 7 years on the Board of Directors of Western Home Furnishings Association, most recently as 2010 President. She has been a member of an Impact Performance group for 5 years, and a member of The Contemporary Design Group. Claudia was one of 8 retailers invited by Vanguard Furniture to attend a Summit Partnership Meeting to discuss innovative ideas for the industry, and she participated in a panel discussion during the American Home Furnishings Alliance annual meeting in 2010. Claudia is a strong believer in continuing education, and often attends home furnishings conferences along with key staff members.
Claudia and her business serve the community through a variety of activities, including Extreme Makeover Home Edition; holding charitable events for local furniture bank Bridging Arizona; donating furniture for the family areas of Serenity Hospice; participating in fundraisers each year for The Friends of American Cancer Center, Sleep America Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Child Help, and Free Arts of Arizona. Claudia serves on the board of Arizona Institute for Breast Health and designates 50% of sales in a part of the store to go to this organization. She is a member of Sojourner Truth Society, an organization focused on overcoming domestic violence. Claudia and Ralph have donated their home for tours to generate money for charities, including Crisis Nursery, Friends of Mexican Art, and Free Arts of Arizona.
Rotmans
Having been associated with the furniture and carpet business since the mid-1950’s, in 1964 Murray and Ida Rotman started Rotmans at its present location in the former Whittall Carpet Mill complex in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. They were joined by their son Steven in 1962, followed by sons Barry in 1966 and Bernie in 1980.
Murray Rotman, who was a nominee for the Furniture Hall of Fame, passed away in the spring of 2004. Ida, now in her 90’s, is still partially active in the business. The business continues to flourish with sons Barry, Steve and Bernie at the helm.
Throughout the years, Rotmans expanded into additional parts of the complex, and the store’s slogan was “7 Stores on 5 Floors under 1 Roof.” The store experienced dramatic growth in the 1980’s and became known as the largest single store operation of its kind in the Northeast, with a new slogan, “New England’s Largest Furniture and Carpet Store.” Rotmans completed a $2 Million expansion that doubled showroom and warehouse space to 200,000 square feet, creating new galleries and displays along with a Design Center. They also added the “Café Fantastique,” an exciting venue for children’s programs, concerts and “Home Beautiful” seminars.
Rotmans’ reputation is that of a family oriented and honest company, known for their outstanding customer service and involvement in community services and activities. The Rotman family feels it is important to give back to the community that has made them successful. One of Rotmans most innovative community service programs is its “Furniture Exchange” program, partnering with the Donations Clearing House of the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance to get furniture donated by customers to families in need throughout Worcester County. Rotmans also developed a free home furnishings package for victims of environmental, fire or storm damage. The store is also active in
Genesis House, Jewish Family Services, Edward Street Child Care, Walk for the Homeless and United Way. They partnered with Extreme Makeover Home Edition in both 2007 and 2008.
National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) serves home furnishings retailers in all 50 of the U.S. states, Canada and overseas. Its membership represents over 8,500 stores. The mission of NHFA is to provide the products and services that enable retailers to operate their businesses more efficiently and profitably.