by HIGH POINT — Furniture of America has pledged $250,000 to the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame’s building fund in honor of the FOA family and a beloved member, Mike Genrich who died June 1.
The full line resource of furniture and lifestyle products, based in City of Industry, Cal., has chosen to name the Leaders Bar. which will be located adjacent to the Celebration Hall, a gathering space for 150 for a seated dinner or 450 for cocktails. It is supported by a catering kitchen to offer a light breakfast and lunch, a cup of coffee during the day or cocktails in the afternoon and evening.
“The home furnishings industry as a whole is responsible for creating long-lasting memories within our most sacred of places, our homes. Dining tables are used to share our thoughts with one another, we use sofas to relax in comfort with those we love, and we look forward to getting into our beds at the end of each day,” said Rocky Young, FOA senior executive vice president in the release announcing the donation. “We create memories with every piece of furniture in our homes. We are honored to support this project because the Hall of Fame will allow visitors to pay respect to the pioneers of such a meaningful industry.”
Young added the company hopes the new Hall of Fame Home “helps us maintain the value of human connection, which is often lost in today’s fast-paced and distanced environment,” and, “As we gradually return to socializing, may this space serve as a hub for continued meaningful conversations about the industry that we all love.”
Young said this most recent gift is close to the FOA family’s heart, noting how it lost Mike Genrich this year. “Known in the industry as Big Mike, among his many responsibilities, he was an ambassador for our company,” Young said. “His greatest passion was networking with other members of the furniture industry. In his memory, we are absolutely honored to be part of creating a space dedicated to communication. To us, this gift represents the level of respect that Mike commanded within our family.”
The Hall of Fame is targeting a 2023 opening for its new home at 311 S. Hamilton Street in High Point. Capital campaign donors to date include: The Wanek family and Ashley Furniture Inds.; Surya; Bill and Carolyn Hinks, Furniture Mart USA; Furniture of America; International Market Centers; Lacquer Craft USA; Manwah Holdings; Neil and Robin Goldberg, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture; Rooms to Go; Karen McNeill and Stephen Pond; The Broyhill Family Foundation; Bill and Candy Fenn; Roger and Martha Bland; Michael Amini, AICO; Keith Koenig, City Furniture; Chad Spencer, Dufresne Spencer Group; Hooker Furnishings Corporation; Amini Audi, L. & J.G. Stickley; Bill and Julia Wittenberg; Schwarz Properties; Jake Jabs, American Furniture Warehouse; Bernhardt Furniture Company; Hassell Franklin, Franklin Corporation; Patrick Cory, Joseph Cory Holdings, LLC; Markor International Furniture; Nebraska Furniture Mart; Nourison Industries; Palecek; The BB&T Foundation; the DRIVE Foundation; The Furniture Foundation; Mickey Holliman, Five Star; David Gebhart and Frederick Raynor, Global Views; Havertys Furniture Cos.; Skipper Holliman, Jr., HomeStretch; Amir Loloi, Loloi Rugs; Martin and Mary Ann Ploy; Phillips Collection; Prestige Arts/Art Trends; Jeff Child, R.C. Willey Home Furnishings; John Bray, Vanguard Furniture Company, Inc.; Lawrence Rogers; Lyle Harris, Behold Home; J. Don Coleman, Coleman Consulting LLC; Bruce and Kena Cohenour; Andrew Bernstein, FurnitureDealer.Net; Bill and Sue Kimbrell; Norwalk Furniture; Jim Sneed, Affordable Furniture; Bobby Bush; Randy Coconis, Coconis Furniture; Russell Bienenstock, Furniture World; Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate; The Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Fund; Don Belgrad; Jerry Epperson; Gill Brother’s Furniture; Infinger Furniture; Michael Alan Furnishings; New Atlantic Construction; Slone Bother’s Furniture; Will Somers; Stegar’s Furniture; Suburban Furniture; and Imogene Zimmerman.
