Jacob "Jake" Jabs, president and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse Awarded NHFA Retailer Of The Year

Furniture World Magazine

Jacob "Jake" Jabs, president and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse in Thornton, CO, was a natural to be selected as National Home Furnishings Association's Retailer of the Year. This honor, the highest in the retail home furnishings industry, recognizes Jake's outstanding contribution to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to his community, and his personal business achievements. Nominations for NHFA's Retailer of the Year are solicited from every segment of the industry, including retailers, manufacturers, factory representatives, and the industry press. A committee of individuals from each of these segments chooses the winner. From his humble beginnings as the fourth of nine children born to Russian/Polish immigrants in Montana, Jake learned the basics of a strong work ethic, family values, and a love of music. This musical background helped spark his entrepreneurial spirit. After graduating from Montana State University, Jake served in the military and then hit the road as lead guitar for country western legend Marty Robbins. Returning to Bozeman, Jake bought into a music store business for $1,500. He doubled his business each year and ended up with the largest music store business in the region. Jake then headed in a different direction, opening four Mediterranean Galleries furniture stores in Denver, while operating his Loren Mitchell Manufacturing Company. In June of 1975, he was presented with the opportunity to buy American Furniture Company of Denver. Changing the name to American Furniture Warehouse and implementing a low margin, high-volume sales strategy was the beginning of the success that is American Furniture Warehouse today. American Furniture Warehouse, with nine stores in Colorado, is a family-owned and operated business ranked 21st on the list of the Top 100 furniture stores in the country and the 12"' largest privately held company in Colorado. Jake serves his community and industry by being an active participant and active contributor to a variety of organizations. He currently is a member of the NHFA Board of Directors, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and a national vice president for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition, Easter Seals, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Red Cross, the Arthritis Association, Rocky Mountain Youth, Lutheran Family Services, the Denver Rocky Mountain News in Education program, and countless church groups, schools and individuals reap the benefits of Jake's overwhelming generosity. Easter Seals awarded Jake the Edgar F. "Daddy" Allen Award, their most prestigious award, in 1994. He received the Award of Excellence from Furniture/Today in 1997. Jake was also recognized as Western Home Furnishings Association's Western Retailer of the Year in 1999. Jake is a devoted husband to his lovely wife Ann; the father of three daughters, Jackie, Terry, and Kim; and the grandfather of six.