BrandSource Dealers Honored by Their Communities

Roby’s owners Ryan Lewis and Andrea Langeliers (center) receive the 2019 Community Applause Award from the Oregon Bankers Association.

By Alan Wolf, YSN

Two BrandSource members were recently lauded for their contributions to their local communities.

Wisconsin’s Forest TV and Appliance was named 2019 Retail Business Member of the Year by its county chamber of commerce, and Roby’s Furniture & Appliance received the 2019 Community Applause Award by the Oregon Bankers Association (OBA).

Forest County Chamber of Commerce President Mark Ferris, left, presents the 2019 Retail Business Member of the Year Award to Forest TV’s Allan Smith.

Forest TV, which has served Northern Wisconsin for nearly 40 years, was honored by the Forest County Chamber of Commerce in an awards ceremony last month. “We are extremely proud of our growth and the support we receive from our communities, which in turn helps us give back,” said co-owner Allan Smith.

Smith, who acquired the longtime BrandSource business three years ago, now operates two locations, in Crandon and Lakewood, WI. The company recently adopted AVB Marketing’s Alta 360 website and is placing a greater emphasis on e-commerce and digital marketing. “Our support for the buying group has continually increased and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roby’s, based in Tillamook, OR, was cited by the OBA and Oregon Business magazine for its “significant service and contributions to its community.” According to the local Headlight Herald news site, the seven-store chain, led by third-generation owners and siblings Ryan Lewis and Andrea Langeliers, continues to embrace the family atmosphere that Roby’s fostered when it was founded 70 years ago.

Its “Roby’s Cares” philosophy is embodied by a closed-on-Sundays policy that allows employees to spend the day with their families, and by an annual “Serve Day,” when the stores are closed and employees are paid to assist a community organization of their choosing. Roby’s covers all related costs and also helps local groups throughout the year with cash contributions and donated goods, the Headlight Herald said.

“The Lewis family is driven by the desire to improve people’s lives and the communities in which they live and work,” said local banking executive Kyle Faulk in nominating Roby’s for the award. “They do not seek recognition, but they should absolutely be applauded for their commitment to making a positive change.”

BrandSource is a unit of YSN published AVB Inc.

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