Congratulations Greg Crowley- ECRotarian
Trailblazer Award Recipient-HFA
The Home Furnishings Association recently announced their top awards for 2019: Howell Furniture, Brakenridge Furniture, Greg Crowley of Crowley Furniture & Mattress and Joe Bright of Dunk & Bright Furniture.
The awards will be presented in each recipient’s flagship store, beginning January 6.
Howell Furniture, based in Beaumont, Texas, is the HFA’s Retailer of the Year in the category of 50 or more employees. It also has stores in Nederland, Texas, and Lake Charles, La.
Brakenridge Furniture Co. of Ferriday, La., is the Retailer of the Year for companies with fewer than 50 employees.
Crowley, whose business is based in Liberty, Mo., is the winner of the Trailblazer award.
Bright, president of Syracuse, N.Y.-based Dunk & Bright, is the recipient of the Emerging Star award.
Winners were selected by a panel of industry judges., including past winners. For the Retailers of the Year, criteria included:
- Value to customers
- Recruitment and development of employees
- Company culture
- Marketing
- Achievements
- Social responsibility
- Innovation
“We could not be any prouder of Howell Furniture,” said Sharron Bradley, CEO of the Home Furnishings Association. “Although it has a long history in Beaumont, it perhaps has never been more important to its hometown than in recent years when it provided desperately needed assistance to families who lost their homes and belongings to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019. The owners and staff are truly wonderful neighbors to their customers and fellow residents of the Gulf Coast region.”
Howell Furniture was founded in 1959 by W. Thurman Witt. Its current owners include his grandchildren, Shawn Hanley and Wade Witt, and long-time president, Tom Schwaab.
“We are really pleased to honor Brakenridge Furniture,” Bradley added. “The business has a long tradition of treating every customer with respect and working with them to make purchases affordable. The company is an invaluable community asset, supporting everything from the local animal shelter to the high school band. It’s successful because it has earned the trust and affection of people in Ferriday and surrounding areas.”
Brakenridge Furniture was founded in 1961 by Gene Brakenridge, who died in 2017. The business is now owned and operated by his daughter, Anna Ferguson, who is also a lawyer.
The Trailblazer award recognizes lifetime achievement in the retail furniture business. Crowley was selected based on several factors, including:
- Contributions to the industry
- Philanthropy
- Mentoring
- Social responsibility
- Challenges overcome
“Greg is a successful and respected businessman but so much more,” Bradley said. “He is truly a leader is raising awareness about and addressing safety issues concerning home furnishings products. His long-time partnership with Charlie’s House, a children’s safety organization in Kansas City, provides a model for proactive engagement with the problem of furniture tip-overs.”
Charlie Horn was killed at age 2 when a bedroom dresser fell over on him. His parents, Brett and Jenny Horn, founded Charlie’s House to draw attention to the danger. The organization, supported by Crowley Furniture & Mattress, will open a safety demonstration house in Kansas City this year. Together, Crowley Furniture & Mattress and Charlie’s House distribute 25,000 tip-restraint kits in the Kansas City area annually. Crowley spoke about furniture safety initiatives at an industry conference in 2019.
Crowley Furniture was started by Greg’s parents, Charles and Marilyn Crowley, in Excelsior Springs, Mo., in 1954. Greg Crowley purchased the business from them in 1985. He closed the Excelsior Springs store in 1998 and opened a larger store in Liberty. In addition to the Liberty location, Crowley now also operates stores in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Overland Park, Kan. His wife, Beth, and daughters, Laura and Katie, have joined him in the business.