Retailers honored at Apollo Awards dinner

.The Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Assn. named the winners of its annual Apollo Awards program last week during The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market in Chicago. 

Recognizing retail excellence, finalists in the competition demonstrate outstanding accomplishment and commitment to customer service in retail sales. 

Casual Marketplace in Hockessin, Del., received first place in the multi-store category, with Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, Calif., taking home second place and Atlanta-based Georgia Backyard placing third. “I guess I’m surprised we are up here,” said Petey Fleischut, owner of Casual Marketplace, when accepting the award. “We love this industry so much and have taken you all in as part of our family, so this is for everyone.” 

Dallas-based Sunnyland Furniture received the top honor for the single store category. Leisure Living, Salt Lake City, Utah, received second place and Dodds & Eder, Oyster Bay, N.Y., placed third in the category. 

This is the first year the SCFMA and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., co-sponsors of the event, recognized second and third place honorees.