Occupation:
Dorothy: Co-Owner of Inglenook Energy Center
Frank: Civil Structural Engineer, Hearth Technician and Estimator

Special Interests:
Dorothy: “Volunteer for the last 10 years for Dog Rescue. Currently on the Board of Directors for the Intermountain Humane Society. We love sponsoring fundraising events in the store for the Rescue.”
Frank: “Loves just flying in big circles in his 1973 Piper Cherokee.”

Major Problems Facing the Hearth Industry for 2015: “Distributors and manufacturers are running too lean and product availability is suffering. It’s not unusual to wait three to four weeks and more for product after ordering. We’re ordering fireplaces and stoves now that we may not see until 2015. We’re having a dynamite season and can’t get all the product we need.”

Forecast for the Barbecue Industry in 2015: “I believe Outdoor Rooms will still be in high demand. That hasn’t really been our ‘thing,’ but we are going to develop an Outdoor Area and have hired the staff with expertise to run with it.”

Reasons for reading Hearth & Home: “It keeps me well informed with what is going on in the hearth products industry. Before I even get it out of the mailbox and into the store I have read the ‘Business Climate’ (yes, it’s a long walk to the mailbox). I love hearing what’s going on in our region from other retailers – misery loves company, or hope springs eternal! The second feature I read is ‘Perspective.’

I save back issues and have them in the showroom for customers who are waiting.”

Articles/Ideas. “So often the Big Fabulous Stores are featured in Hearth & Home. I’d like to read about fellow “little engines that could” like us who do the most with small spaces. Our warehouse is two double-car garages on site. Try moving $3 million in sales through four bays and a 2,000 sq. ft. showroom; it can be done.   

“Our store has so many chimneys poking out the roof and side walls we look like we are part of NASA and get signals from Mars. We have over 60 burning models. I know stores such as ours are not the exception, but more the norm. For example, Big Horn Stove and Spa in Pueblo, Colorado, has been around 35 years and sells hearth products and spas in about 2,000 sq. ft. They have a small warehouse out in back of their store, which is about the size of a four-car garage, and they stock a dozen eight-ft. spas in there as well.”