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Mazer Discount honored at Tupelo Furniture Market

Albert Fraenkel also recognized

Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, January 26, 2009

TUPELO, Miss. — Homewood, Ala.-based Mazer Discount, with 300,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space, received the National Buyer Appreciation Award at the ongoing winter Tupelo Furniture Market.

David Smythia, executive vice president of the 77-year-old company, accepted the award, which was presented by Furniture/Today editor in chief Ray Allegrezza.

Mazer's was founded in Birmingham in 1932 when David Mazer began selling salvage materials from wrecked buildings. Today, it offers products ranging from kitchen and bath materials to flooring, countertops and home furnishings.

The Mazer campus features Alabama's largest furniture showroom for furniture, appliances, flooring, kitchen and bath.

The company estimates its 2009 sales will be $30 million, with revenues coming from a 50/50 mix of core products and what the company calls "opportunistic buying" - closeouts, overstocks, insurance salvage, bankruptcies and other distressed sources.

"We've made a lot of friendships over the years here (in Tupelo) and some of those are really close friendships and we appreciate that," Smythia said.

The award, presented at the market Saturday, is designed to recognize retailers and their buyers who have consistently supported the furniture industry and the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Also recognized at the event was Fraenkel Co. founder Albert Fraenkel, who began the employee-owned manufacturer and distributor of household furniture in 1959.

"I think anyone who's been in the furniture business for 50 years is to be admired. They've had plenty of challenges," said Tupelo Furniture Marketing Chairman V.M. Cleveland, who introduced Fraenkel at the market's Saturday dinner.

Cleveland said when the market began two decades ago, Fraenkel wanted his company to become a close partner of the event's organizers. Fraenkel set aside time at each market to offer advice and suggestions, said Cleveland.

Meanwhile, the market continues today.

Most exhibitors indicated that the market, which officially opened on Saturday, has gone as expected. A number of major accounts shopped early and smaller, independent dealers flowing in over the weekend.

"There was steady good traffic on Saturday. Not knowing how the dates would work out right now we're pleased. Buyers are obviously cautious, but we sold a lot of regular priced non-discounted items and didn't have to give away furniture," said Bob Lephart, vice president of sales and marketing for case goods importer Sunrise Home Furnishings.

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