September News
Year after year, and store name after store name, the list of Apollo Award finalists becomes fairly predictable. You know, it’s pretty much the usual suspects, with an occasional wild card – meaning a newbie – thrown in.
Hearth & Home wanted to see just how many times the 10 companies chosen as finalists this year had been nominated previously. So we searched for their names in an ICFA list dating back to 1959.
What stands out is that Patios Plus has won six times, and been a finalist 12 times; Sunnyland has won four times, and been a finalist eight times, and poor Elegant Outdoor Living/Patio & Hearth Shoppes, has been a finalist eight times, but never a winner.
If you spot an error in any of the data presented below, we’ll swear the fault was with our accountant.
Single Store Category
Kolo Collection, Atlanta, Georgia
Finalist in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017
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| L to R: Greg Morgan, Paul Yuncker, Sarah Miller, Michelle Larrabee Martin, Greg Martin, Robert Alexander. | |
Outdoor Elegance, LaVerne, California
Winner in 2010; Finalist 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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| L to R (back row): Joseph Sanicola, Doug Sanicola, Sharon Sanicola, Rob Decker. L to R (front row): Ben Kunzelman, Jodi Brown, Riley (dog), Angela Radenbaugh, Jesse Avila. | |
Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, California
Winner in 1999, 2007, 2008, 2012; Finalist 1982, 1990, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
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| L to R: Amanda Smith and Kristine Schultz Hutchinson. | |
Sunnyland Furniture, Dallas, Texas
Winner in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017; Finalist 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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| L to R (back row:) David Schweig, Debbie Schweig, Brad Schweig. L to R (front row): Jose Ramirez, David “NICK” Nickell, Teresa Scott, Thad Hales. | |
Village Green Home and Garden, Rockford, Illinois
Winner 2016;Finalist 2013, 2015
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| L to R (back row): Tanner LaFew, Jessica Salisbury, Todd Ott. L to R (front row): Larry Smith, Linda Kardell, Jessica “Kiki” Knusdon. | |
Multi-Store Category
ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, Birmingham, Alabama
Winner in 2013; Finalist 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017
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| L to R: Hope Nicholson, Melissa Gregg, Joy Galbreath-Odom, Cathy Galbreath-Buzbee (holding Wrigley!), Scott Buzbee, Joy Gowens. | |
Daylight Home, Lighting & Patio, San Luis Obispo, California
Finalist 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017
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| L to R: John and Susanna Billings, Erik Stanton, Elaine Holzschuh, Zoe Goldman. | |
Elegant Outdoor Living, Bonita Springs, Florida
Finalist 1993, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2017
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| L to R: Nate, Stephanie, Debbie and Tom Stegman. | |
Great Gatherings, Annapolis, Maryland, and Gainesville, Virginia
Winner in 2002; Finalist 2015, 2016
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| L to R: Steve Beaupre, Eric Stalzer, Dylan Nickle. | |
Outside in Style, Austin and San Antonio, Texas
Greenhouse Mall, Austin and San Antonio, Texas
Winner in 2002, 2017; Finalist 1985, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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| L to R (back row): Michael Sawyer, Paul Parker, Cory Levlon. L to R (front row): Tracy Wolfrom; Karen Galindo, Paul Galindo. |
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