Idaho retailer wins $250K
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 4, 2008
Las Vegas — Tim Koerner of Koerner Furniture said he was already having a good market, but it got excellent in a hurry last Wednesday.
The Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, retailer won the $250,000 grand prize in the Las Vegas Market's Fashion 500 Runway Rewards. Fifty finalists and a crowd of onlookers gathered in the Building B Atrium for the big announcement.
Celebrity host Robin Leach, he of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," led a countdown until Koerner's name flashed on a pair of TV screens. The smiling Koerner, 38, a single-store, full-line retailer, took the stage with Leach and World Market Center CEO Bob Maricich.
At Leach's prodding, Koerner tried to call his wife, Kerry, on a cell phone but hung up when she didn't answer. "You didn't leave a message!" said Leach.
A WMC spokesperson said Koerner will get the money in a lump sum, not installments.
"I'm flabbergasted — I'm excited," said Koerner.
