Class of 2022 inducted at Convention cavalcade
By Alan Wolf, Editor
Fourteen BrandSource members were lauded at Convention 2022 for their support of the group and its direct supplier partners during the annual Dealers of the Year ceremony.
The accolade acknowledges their excellence in the retail industry and support of fellow dealers.
The honorees, who were selected by their respective regions’ members, were equally applauded for their commitment to BrandSource, as demonstrated by attendance at regional meetings and national group events including the Summit and Convention. The 2022 contingent is especially notable given this year’s turbulent marketplace.
So, without any further ado, let us salute the 2022 winners. Congratulations to all!
Eric and Sarah Chaput, Advanced Appliance Sales and Service, Southwest Region
Advanced Appliance was founded in 2013, following in the tradition of the Chaput family’s 60-year-old East Coast appliance service and sales business. Building upon that legacy and the lessons Eric learned during his nine years there, Advanced Appliance remains first and foremost a service company. But not unlike its forebear, marketplace gains led to the addition of product sales and a recently opened showroom that showcases seven brands of residential and commercial appliances. “We continue to see rapid growth and opportunities on both the service and sales sides of our business,” Eric said.
Tyler Wittwer, Boulevard Home, Rocky Mountain Region
Boulevard Home was launched in 1974 to provide much needed home furnishings products and services to the rapidly expanding Southern Utah market and adjacent Arizona and Nevada communities. The business was built upon the values, work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit of the founders’ pioneer ancestors, as expressed in Boulevard’s tenets of honesty, integrity, respect and commitment to community and family. Those principles have served the company well, as Boulevard has since grown into a five-store retail chain with more than 230 loyal employees and a sixth location on the way in Las Vegas at presstime.
Devon Webber, Broadview Appliance, Northwest Region
Broadview Appliance was founded in 1963 as a nursery and garden center that also provided lawn mower repairs. It added appliance service thanks to a customer with a faulty washer, and eventually transitioned to appliance sales and service. Owner Devon Webber has worked at Broadview for more than two decades and was given the opportunity to acquire the business three years ago. He has since added mattresses to the product mix, continues to service the appliances he sells, and together with his eight full-time employees “enjoys working here, serving our community,” he said.
Jimmy and Lisa Caldwell, Caldwell’s Home Furnishings, Midwest Region
Co-owner Jimmy Caldwell started the business in 2015 with nothing more than a laptop, a printer, a donated office desk, and as many refurbished appliances as his undependable box truck could carry. After meeting and marrying Lisa two years later, the couple embarked on a series of expansions that led to the addition of home furnishings and Caldwell’s move into its current 32,000-square-foot emporium, making it the largest in-stock appliance, furniture, mattress, gaming and electronics store in Indiana. “None of it would have been possible without lots of prayers and long hours,” Jimmy said.
Richard Cooper and Sherry Percivalle, Dick Cooper TV & Appliance, North Atlantic Region
Dick Cooper TV & Appliance was founded in 1984 by Richard and Sherry’s late parents Shirley Cooper and their TV technician dad Dick. Richard began working for the company as a teenager and was followed by sister Sherry in 1995. They’ve since been joined by Sherry’s son and daughter, while Richard’s son Kenny is presently training for his future role as a service technician. Together the family has been diligently serving the residents of Litchfield County in foothills of Massachusetts’ beautiful Berkshire Mountains. “This is still very much a family business and a labor of love,” Richard said. “We have solidified a good reputation in our local community and we look forward to a rewarding future.”
Brandon and Jessica Steffel, Great Rooms Furniture & Mattresses, Michigan Region
Great Rooms has been serving the Northern Michigan market since 2010, when it began by selling quality preowned furniture in a 2,700-square-foot space. Within three years the fledgling business relocated to its current 13,000-square-foot showroom and has since transitioned into factory-fresh products from such premium brands as England, Flexsteel, Amish, Tempur-Pedic and Stearns & Foster. Together with a staff of 12, co-owner Brandon Steffel, a natural-born salesman, and his wife Jessica, who juggles motherhood, retail and teaching, have maintained their store’s small-town feel in downtown Gaylord while serving an expanding customer base. “We enjoy running our store together,” Brandon said, “and are proud of what we have built with the support of our amazing staff.”
John and Judi Akins, Jensen-Akins Hardware & Appliance, Greater Midwest Region
Since purchasing the business 19 years ago, co-owners John and Judi Akins have expanded the operation into a one-stop shop with 24 employees, providing everything from appliances, TVs and tools, to hardware, paint and paddle boats to local and seasonal residents within a 60-mile radius of their Wisconsin Northwoods store. “Our foundation is service,” John said. “That is what brings our customers in and keeps them coming back.”
Darin and Kim Pote, Jim’s Appliance of Inman, Great Plains Region
Jim’s Appliance was founded in 1980 and was acquired by the Potes five years after co-owner Darin began working there in 2000. They’ve since opened a second store, in Manhattan, Kan., and welcomed their sons Trent and Caden into the family business, which employs 21 full-time staffers. “BrandSource has been an amazing partner for my business,” Darin said, citing the group’s assistance with the acquisition and its help in establishing vendor relationships, offering competitively priced merchandising programs and consumer financing, and managing all its digital advertising needs.
John and Kelsey Hinton, John’s Appliance & Bedding, South Atlantic Region
John’s Appliance dates to 1972, when its namesake owner turned his penchant for repairing and selling pre-owned appliances into a business by opening his first small storefront in Daytona Beach. Hinton soon outgrew his shop and began a series of relocations to ever larger showrooms over the ensuing 50 years. Today, the four-store retail chain provides Floridians with appliances, mattresses and complete cabinet solutions from locations in Palm Coast, New Smyrna Beach, Orange City and its flagship Daytona Beach facility. “It all began with a pickup truck, a bag of used tools and a dream,” John said.
Phillip and Amanda Lovin, Lovin’s Furniture Appliances Bedding, Southeast Region
Co-owners Phillip and Amanda Lovin began the business in 2003 as 1,100-square-foot consignment shop, built upon the family’s furniture industry background. Since then, successive expansions led to their current 15,000-square-foot showroom and 5,000-square-foot warehouse, and the addition of upholstery, bedding, case goods, home appliances, and most recently sports and collectible cards. But beyond providing the community with home furnishings — and the only place in town with appliance inventory during the pandemic — the deeply devout Lovins believe their greatest gift to customers is sharing the love and hope of their faith with everyone who walks through their door.
Bob and Elmer Lower, Lower’s Appliance, Tri State Region
Lower’s Appliance was founded in 1955 as Lower & Quigley and assumed its current name after co-owner Robert Lower bought out his partner Lawrence Quigley in 1977. Ten years later present-day co-owners Bob and Elmer acquired the business from their dad, who passed away in 2016. Today, the brothers and their team continue to sell, deliver, install and service a wide range of freestanding and built-in appliances from the Frigidaire and Whirlpool family of brands under the slogan “Personal service is our specialty.” As the company states, “Our mission at Lower’s has always been to exceed customer service expectations with honesty, integrity and the latest appliance information available, while continuing to be price competitive with the national chain stores.”
Brian and Lindsay Ashworth, M&H Appliance, North Central Region
M&H Appliance was founded in 1930 by Leo Matter and Al Heydman and acquired in 2019 by the Ashworth family, which was already operating two retail stores. Today, M&H employs three generations of Ashworths and a staff of 33, and at presstime was preparing to open a fourth Central Minnesota showroom. “Customer service is at the core of every decision the company makes,” said co-owner Brian Ashworth, who shares his knowhow as the newest member of the BrandSource Service Committee. “We work hard every day to maintain our 92-year reputation for providing a great shopping experience.”
Sarah and Richard Bond, M&K Home Appliance Center, Maytag Channel
M&K was founded in 1983 by Sarah Hupp’s parents Mark and Kim, who established a reputation within Ohio’s Tri-State area as the go-to appliance store for top-quality products and a knowledgeable staff. Last year the Hupps handed the reins of their eight-employee operation to their daughter and her husband Richard Bond, and the business has continued to grow and prosper under their ownership. “Sarah and Richard plan to carry on the family business legacy for many years to come,” Mark Hupp said.
Paul Berry, Martin & Harris Appliances, Pacific Rim Region
Martin & Harris was founded as a GE and Maytag appliance dealer in 1956 by Al Harris and Harris Martin. In 1978 the company was sold to Bill Cole, who added the Bosch and Whirlpool family of brands, and was purchased again in 1989 by current owner Paul Berry, who worked in the business for three years before buying it. Today, the 11-employee operation continues to serve the fashionable Marin County community just north of San Francisco. “People in the county continue to come to M&H because of our reputation for taking care of our customers,” Berry said. “We hear people say almost daily that ‘We should have come to you in the first place.’”
