Industry remembers Leslie Fishbein
Energetic, enthusiastic retailer dies at 55
Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, March 20, 2008
DENVER — Vibrant, intelligent, spirited, the conscience of the industry.
These are the words friends used to describe Leslie Fishbein, president of retailer Kacey Fine Furniture, who died here Wednesday, days after receiving an injection to relieve pain from a previous horseback riding injury. She suffered an adverse reaction and cardiac arrest, according to reports.
Kacey officials said services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St., Denver. Memorial contributions may be made to: Make a Wish Foundation, 7951 E. Maplewood Ave. Suite 126, Greenwood Village, Colo. 80111; Children's Hospital Foundation, 1245 E. Colfax Ave. #400, Denver, Colo. 80218; or Craig Hospital Donations, 3425 S. Clarkson St., Englewood, Colo. 80113.
Fishbein, 55, had been hospitalized here since March 4.
In a statement released to Denver newspapers, the family said, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, daughter and sister … Leslie was a vibrant and loving member of our community as well as our family. Her passing is a profound loss for all of us. We ask, once again, that we be allowed to grieve our loss privately.”
The furniture industry is grieving, too.
“It’s such a surprise and a shock,” said Doug Kays, president of the National Home Furnishings Assn., who for years has worked with Fishbein on the boards of NHFA and the Western Home Furnishing Assn.
“She was absolutely one of the most vibrant, energetic, and enthusiastic thinkers we’ve ever had,” he said. “She was never afraid to voice her opinion and had very good instincts based on her experience.”
Kays recalled an NHFA meeting this past fall, where he had a good 90 minutes with Fishbein, bouncing ideas off each other on improving industry communications. It’s an exchange he now savors.
“She was extremely bright, extremely quick and it was really an enjoyable hour and a half,” said Kays.
Fishbein and her husband, Sam Fishbein, led the five-store, midpriced to upscale Kacey, which was founded by her parents Jack and Shirley Barton in 1948. In her early days at Kacey, she worked to build the business amid tough competition from giants in the marketplace.
“We made our living from castoffs,” she told an industry group in 2002. “In 1992, we came to market and couldn’t get anything,” because bigger players in Denver had tied up distribution. But over time, the Fishbeins built Kacey’s business with these “castoffs,” working to become a preferred brand to consumers here.
Through it all, Fishbein was outspoken, warm, funny and brilliant by all accounts.
“I knew Leslie for many years and always looked forward to running into her at furniture trade shows,” said Jake Jabs, president and CEO of Englewood, Colo.-based American Furniture Warehouse, a retail competitor of Kacey. “Every time, she was always very nice to me and greeted me with a hug. I will miss her sense of humor and friendship. The furniture industry will miss her personality, energy and intelligence.”
“She was the conscience of the industry,” said Jena Hall, longtime friend and vice president of merchandising and design for furniture source Aspenhome. “She was innovative and courageous and she believed in what she was doing. It’s just a sad day for us. My heart goes out to the family and to Sam. It’s a tremendous loss.”
“You (always knew) where Leslie stood,” said Ellen Gefen, president of video production company Gefen Productions. “That was certainly refreshing. I know a lot of people may not have been comfortable with that, but she was definitely who she was.”
Martin Ploy, executive vice president of supplier AICO, was one of many who “just loved her.”
“When she came into the showroom, she brought energy, she brought knowledge and her personality was magnetic. You were just drawn to her,” he said.
“She was spirited. That’s the right word for her,” said Jerry Epperson, managing director of Richmond, Va.-based Mann, Armistead & Epperson. “She was fun to be around. She was intelligent and challenged you and she and Sam were just an absolutely terrific couple.”
Epperson remembered visits to Fishbein’s store and how she would never hesitate to interrupt a conversation to take care of that all-important customer, who always came first.
“What I like is how she was willing to share her time and knowledge with others in the industry. She came to the industry events. She participated on every level. She shared her knowledge and she shared her success,” he said.
“There’s a saying in Judaism that people live on by their actions and their deeds,” said Gefen, “and Leslie will always live on in this industry in a positive way.”
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Industry remembers Leslie Fishbein
Mar 23, 2008
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