BILTRITE Named Retailer of the Year by HFA
Furniture World News Desk on
2/16/2023
BILTRITE Furniture‐Leather‐Mattress has been named the 2023 Retailer of the Year (under 50 employees) by the Home Furnishings Association (HFA). BILTRITE is the first Wisconsin Furniture retailer to earn this distinction. This recognition as one of the industry’s highest achievers is amongst the most prestigious awards in home furnishings.
BILTRITE was judged by a panel of industry professionals on eight categories: Customer Experience, Company Culture, Social Responsibility, Innovation, Adaptability, Industry Contribution, Marketing, and Achievements.
In 2022 BILTRITE celebrated 94 years in business as Wisconsin’s highest volume, single‐store, family and locally owned and operated furniture and mattress store. Randi Komisar, 4th generation family member is honored to win Retailer of the Year and calls it "the team's award," crediting the entire BILTRITE team for helping earn this.
“We are very honored and humbled by being named HFA’S RETAILER OF THE YEAR FOR 2023. It is very touching as we embark upon our 95th year in business and would like to thank our family, past and present employees, our loyal customers, HFA, Furniture First Buying Group and the many vendors and Amish builders that we have nurtured relationships with over the years. We have come a long way since 1928 and look forward to continuing to be a locally and family‐owned Metro Milwaukee‐area institution. We do what we do because we love and have passion for what we do!”
Mark Schumacher, the CEO, of the Home Furnishings Association, will be on hand to present the award to the Komisar Family in an awards celebration on Wednesday, March 1, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. In appreciation for this honor BILTRITE would like to give back to the community that they serve. They will be donating $5,000 to the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative and $5,000 to the Grand Avenue Club of Milwaukee. We invite you to come to help us celebrate.
“BILTRITE furniture has been a steadfast supporter of the Grand Avenue Club since 2007. BILTRITE has been instrumental in providing employment opportunities to our members and has allowed our members to find purpose and meaning in their lives. The continued generosity of BILTRITE has enabled the Grand Avenue Club to create an array of attractive opportunities for hundreds of Milwaukee residents who face the challenge of mental illness. The GAC is transforming lives and building brighter futures, but none of this would be possible without the support of BILTRITE”. Philip Connelly, Executive Director
“The Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative is very excited to be the recipient of a $5,000 gift from BiltRite Furniture that will be restricted to one of our largest programs, Home Support which assists veterans in helping to secure safe, stable and affordable housing. Once new housing is found, oftentimes the veteran has nothing to furnish it with. Home Support provides these items free of charge to veterans. We have been very appreciative of the many in‐kind furniture items BiltRite has donated in the past. With this $5,000 donation, we will ensure veterans have the items they need to start off on the right foot and maintain their highest levels of independence, which is part of our mission.” Debbie Buchanan, Executive Director
About BILTRITE Furniture‐Mattress‐Leather
At BILTRITE, we've built our furniture specialties around your needs since 1928! Locally & family owned for 4 generations with hands‐on family members, our specialties include affordable, better quality furniture and mattresses and a large selection of USA and Amish made furniture including small scale furniture. We have knowledgeable, experienced sales associates, personal service, in store design services and a huge selection of furniture for every room of your home along with competitive pricing! You're Local. We're Local. So, Buy Local! For more information: https://www.biltritefurniture.com/
About Home Furnishings Association
The Home Furnishings Association (HFA), with roots dating back to 1920, is North America’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers, with more than 1,400 members representing more than 10,000 storefronts globally. HFA provides members with programs, resources, services, and a unified voice in government relations by collaborating with home furnishings industry suppliers, vendors, affiliates, and other organizations. For more information, visit www.myhfa.org.
About Milwaukee Homeless Veteran Initiative
Founded and run by veterans, we offer unique programs to fill the gaps and don't duplicate what others do. When possible, we partner with the Veterans Administration, Wis. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Officers, and other non-profit agencies.
Since 2008 we have served thousands of veterans and their families in Southeastern Wisconsin. We don't leave our wounded behind. For more information, visit www.mhvivets.org
About The Grand Avenue Club
Grand Avenue Club was founded in Milwaukee in 1991 by a coalition of 23 community organizations that included psychiatric patients, family members, advocates, service providers, and concerned citizens. With start‐up funding from the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Grand Avenue Club established a Pre‐Vocational Day Program and an Evening, Weekend, and Holiday Program. An Employment Program began in 1993. This was followed by a Supported Education Program in 1998. Members are also helped with finding and maintaining their own housing, acquiring services and resources in the community that will enhance their lives, and having a place to spend leisure time and to make friends on Evenings, Weekends, and Holidays. For more information, visit www.grandavenueclub.org.