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December 2019 Flipbook

December 2019 Articles

Perspective:
The Past & Future

The main thrust of this issue – as it usually is at this time of year – is to provide you with a glimpse of how your peers view the passing year, as well as the coming year. Read the industry sections carefully and you should be able to sense consensus on some issues facing us in 2020.

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The Nicest Guy!

By Richard Wright

The life and times of Perry Ranes, whose soft, friendly manner has served him well managing Travis Industries’ sales force; he retires on December 31.

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Good to Better

By Bill Sendelback

The new NSPS (Step 2) was, and remains, a challenge for manufacturers and, to a lesser extent, retailers, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel (May 15, 2020).

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Nothin' But Hearth

By Bill Sendelback

There are still many specialty shops that sell only hearth products; one of them is Custom Fireside Shops in California.

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Islands in the Southwest

By Lisa Readie Mayer

BBQ Island is a three-store retail oasis of barbecue and outdoor living products, backed up by a strong social media and educational element.

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2019 October Business Climate

In early November, Hearth & Home faxed a survey to 2,500 specialty retailers of hearth, patio, and barbecue products, asking them to compare October 2019 sales to October 2018. The accompanying charts and selected comments are from the 209 usable returns.

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Parting Shot: Bali in the Desert

The blending of Balinese pod-style architecture with contemporary design aesthetics, then placing it in a desert landscape with towering saguaros and views of Pinnacle Peak, was a challenge for the folks at Tate Studio Architects in Cave Creek, Arizona.

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