Simmons Company Sponsors Western Retailer of the Year Gala

Furniture World Magazine

Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) announced that the Simmons Company will be sponsoring the annual Western Retailer of the Year Gala on May 20 at 6:45 p.m. at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. “The annual Western Retailer of the Year Gala is an event that can’t be missed,” said Bill Elliott, vice president of sales for Simmons Company. “We have been sponsoring this event for the last five years, and every year it keeps getting bigger and better. The evening is a great time to meet new people in the industry and have some fun.” The 2008 Western Retailer of the Year Gala will honor Lee Goodman, Jerry Navarra and Ann Navarra of Jerome’s Furniture of San Diego, CA. “We feel privileged to be able to honor such a great retailer like Jerome’s Furniture,” said Elliott. Jerome’s Furniture was founded in 1954 by Jim & Esther Navarra, and is still owned and operated by the Navarra family. The 370 employee company features seven Navarra family members, four of whom are third generation retailers. Jerry and Ann Navarra joined the business in the early 1970s and oversaw the opening in 1979 of their first satellite store in San Marcos. Over the next 10 years, new Jerome’s locations were added in Chula Vista, El Cajon and Scripps Ranch. In 2000, the original store in downtown San Diego was replaced with a large format unit on Morena Boulevard. In 2005, the company streamlined its operations by opening a 450,000 square foot distribution center. Jerome’s Furniture was selected as Retailer of the Year based on their contributions to the home furnishings industry, service to their community and their personal business achievements and company leadership. The event will take place as the grand finale to WHFA’s May 18-20 all new 2008 Conference & Expo. For more information on taking part in the Retailer of the Year dinner celebration on May 20, 2008 visit www.WHFA.org or call Cindi Williams, WHFA events manager at (800) 422-3778. About the WHFA and NHFA The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) is the largest affiliate of the NHFA, representing more than 1,100 independent home furnishings retailers in more than 2,800 stores in 12 western states. National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,800 corporate entities representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries.