Chesapeake, Va., location named Ashley Store of the Year

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 14, 2013

At Ashley’s Store of the Year Award ceremony are John Disa, left, of Ashley; Craig Stein, Allison Saget and Brett Johnson of honoree Southeastern Virginia HomeStores of Chesapeake, Va.; and Todd Wanek of Ashley.

LAS VEGAS — Ashley Furniture HomeStores' Chesapeake, Va., licensee was honored as the brand's Store of the Year in a ceremony here.

The Chesapeake store received the recognition due to its outstanding achievements in sales, customer service and community relations, Ashley said. Licensee owner Craig Stein, its division manager, Brett Johnson, and Allison Saget, marketing director, accepted the award on the Chesapeake team's behalf.

"We are so pleased with the accelerated growth in southeastern Virginia over the last two years," said Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Inds. He said Stein and Johnson "have assembled a team that focuses on Ashley Furniture HomeStore's best of breed model.

"With the grand opening of their second location in Virginia Beach earlier this month, Craig Stein and his group were able to transform the former RoomStore location into a first-class Ashley HomeStore, keeping jobs in the community. They accomplished a tremendous feat and continue to build upon their recipe for success," Wanek added.

At a ribbon cutting for the licensee’s new store in Virginia Beach, Va., are Virginia Beach council members Bob Dyer, left, and Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, with Brett Johnson, Ashley Furniture HomeStores

"The Store of the Year distinction is a product of our continued team effort, exceptional customer service, and community support," Stein said.

He said the new 50,000-square-foot store in Virginia Beach is the licensee's second location in the Hampton Roads area, in addition to the 40,000-square-foot showroom in Chesapeake.

"We also appreciate the value of our Ashley marketing specialists who have supported our efforts every step of the way," Stein said.

Johnson added, "We are incredibly honored for this recognition and look forward to wowing our customers in both Chesapeake and Virginia Beach in 2013."