WHFA recognizes Jerome's
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 24, 2008
Roseville, Calif. — San Diego-based Jerome's Furniture has won the Western Home Furnishings Assn.'s Retailer of the Year Award.
Lee Goodman, president and CEO of the Top 100 company, along with store owners Jerry Navarra, chairman, and Ann Navarra, vice president of finance, will be honored during a dinner celebration May 20 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz., as the grand finale to WHFA's 2008 Conference & Expo.
Jerome's selection as Retailer of the Year was based on its contributions to the industry, service to the community and personal business achievements and company leadership, the WHFA said.
"It's such a special feeling, frankly, to be recognized by the industry you love so much and enjoy being such a part of," Goodman said. "For each of our employees, this is a tremendous honor that everyone greatly appreciates."
Jerome's was founded in 1954 by Jim and Esther Navarra and is still owned and operated by the Navarra family, with seven members working there, including four third-generation retailers. The company employs 370 people.
Jerry and Ann Navarra joined the business in the early 1970s and oversaw the opening in 1979 of their first satellite store in San Marcos, Calif. Over the next 10 years, new Jerome's locations were added in Chula Vista, El Cajon and Scripps Ranch, Calif. In 2000, the original store in downtown San Diego was replaced with a large-format store on Morena Boulevard.
In 2005, the company streamlined its operations by opening a 450,000-square-foot distribution center.
"The strong intra-family ties and commitment to ethical standards are heavily infused into the company's foundation," Jerry Navarra said in a release. "Our success resides in our long-term commitment to our customers, community, employees and their families."
