Manuel Capó, Darrell and Stella Harris, Bob Timberlake enter American Furniture Hall of Fame

More than 400 attend High Point Market banquet for Hall

Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, October 18, 2010

Manuel Capo	Bob Timberlake
Darrell Harris	Stella Harris

HIGH POINT — Three furniture retailing trailblazers and the creator of an enduring and successful home furnishings collection were inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame at a banquet here Sunday evening during the High Point Market.

Manuel Capó, the late CEO of El Dorado Furniture, Miami Gardens, Fla.; Darrell and Stella Harris of Furnitureland South, High Point; and artist and designer Bob Timberlake were elected by Hall of Fame Foundation members.

More than 400 marketgoers attended last night's Hall of Fame banquet, which was hosted by actress, artist and furniture designer Jane Seymour.

"Each fall, we honor an elite group of Industry Fellows with induction into the Hall of Fame, the industry's most prestigious and highest honor," said Jeff Cook, president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation and president of Broyhill Furniture. "Selected by a vote of the members of the foundation, they will forever be remembered for their contributions and passion for this industry. We congratulate each of them for achievements, innovation and generosity as they join the ranks of the Hall of Fame."

Manuel Capó, who died in 2009, grew his family business, El Dorado Furniture, into one of the 50 largest furniture stores in the United States. As CEO, he led the charge in providing exceptional customer service, targeting ethnic markets, offering same-day delivery, promoting the store as a brand and giving back to the community and industry.

Capó created the concept of a "main street" inside his stores, with realistic building facades, old fashioned street lamps and benches opening into galleries.

All seven of Capó's sons worked with him, along with 10 of his 20 grandchildren.

Darrell and Stella Harris founded and have built Furnitureland South in Jamestown, N.C., into the world's largest retail furnishings showplace at 1.3 million square feet. The Top 100 store has become an international furniture destination, selling to consumers in more than 50 countries.

Focusing on adding value for the consumer, the family company has pioneered styled vignettes and a "green" gallery to promote sustainable practices. It has a national delivery team, and shopping amenities such as orientation movie theaters, a full-service restaurant, a coffee house and a lounge.

Bob Timberlake, an internationally recognized artist who has become the brand, partnered with Lexington Home Brands in 1990 to create The World of Bob Timberlake. The coordinated lifestyle displays of his products include furniture, textiles, wall décor, floor coverings, lighting, tabletop, gifts, books and collectible items in 20 licensed categories.

The groundbreaking success of his theme-based furniture collections reflect his sportsmanship, personality and love for his family, and are cross marketed not only in furniture stores but in gift stores and many other distribution channels.

The inductees were elected by members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation based on detailed information about their professional achievements, personal standards and civic involvement.

Platinum level sponsors of the banquet were Ashley Furniture Inds. and Furniture Brands International.

Gold sponsors were AICO, Art Van Furniture, El Dorado Furniture, Hickory Springs Mfg., International Home Furnishings Center, La-Z-Boy, Leggett & Platt and Zenith Global Logistics.

Silver sponsors were Aspenhome, Berkshire Hathaway Furniture Cos., Culp, Flexsteel Inds., Furnitureland South, Kingsdown, Klaussner Home Furnishings, Schnadig International and Vaughn-Bassett Furniture.

Copper sponsors were Bassett Furniture Inds., Carpenter, Comfort Solutions, Furniture Transport Group, Grand Home Furnishings, Haynes Furniture, Havertys Furniture, Home Meridian International, Hooker Furniture, L.&J.G. Stickley, Raymour & Flanigan, Restonic Mattress, RoomStore, Rooms To Go, Samson Marketing, Simmons Bedding, Stanley Furniture, Stoney Creek Furniture, Steinreich Communications, Therapedic and Watkins and Shepard Trucking.