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WHFA taps Harkness as top retailer

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 31, 2003

Roseville, Calif. — The Western Home Furnishings Assn. has named David Harkness of Harkness Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., the 2003 Western Retailer of the Year.

The award will be presented during the 43rd annual WHFA Managerial Conference and Trade Show, set for May 20 at the Catamaran Beach Resort on Mission Bay in San Diego.

"Some people select their careers. I was born into mine," said Harkness. He began working with his parents and brother in the family store in 1964, working weekends and summers throughout high school and college. After college graduation, he went to work as a full-time salesman and part-time partner. Harkness took over operations in 1987.

The store remains a family business.

"Over its 83-year history, I have had the following relatives working in the store: my grandparents, my father and mother, two aunts and two uncles, three cousins, a brother, wife, son and daughter," Harkness said.

Harkness is a member of the Pacific Furniture Dealers and was president of the National Home Furnishings Assn. Northwest when it merged with WHFA. He currently serves on the WHFA board of directors as treasurer and is on the San Francisco Mart's Retail Advisory Board.

The Retailer of the Year award is given each year to a home furnishings retailer who demonstrates service to the community, commitment to the betterment of the home furnishings industry and industry-related activities, and exemplary merchandising, advertising, store design and business practices.

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