FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. - Customer service and philanthropy share equal importance in a new partnership between retailer City Furniture here and Habitat for Humanity of Broward County.
City Furniture is hauling old furniture donated by its customers to the Habitat ReStore in Fort Lauderdale, simplifying the delivery process for new furniture customers and supporting Habitat. Proceeds from sales at the ReStore support the charity's mission of eliminating substandard housing by building affordable homes in partnership with low-income families in need.
"Our customers often wonder what to do with their old furniture," said City President Keith Koenig. "Now our sales associates and delivery crews in Broward can respond that the Habitat ReStore welcomes donations of quality used furniture. It's a perfect partnership."
Koenig said that when he learned the ReStore was having difficulty keeping used furniture in stock, he realized that City Furniture could help while also strengthening the company's customer service program. And when Habitat board member and ReStore chairperson Nancy Daly told Koenig that she loved the idea, but that the actual transportation of the furniture would be problematic, Koenig donated funds for a new Habitat delivery truck.
The partnership is "letting our team solve customers' needs and help the community, while ensuring used furniture will find its way to homes, not landfills," Koenig said. City has created online marketing materials to advertise the effort and will include print information in each of the company's three Broward County showrooms.
"City Furniture is one of our biggest supporters," Daly said. "Since our ReStore opened in 2000, they've delivered truckloads of scratch-and-dent items to us. City Furniture's people worked on the Habitat home named for the company, and Keith's wife, Doreen, serves on our board. Now they've truly taken our partnership to the next level."
Koenig said his company is piloting the program in Broward and is exploring opportunities to play a similar role for Habitat affiliates in all City Furniture's Florida markets. The retailer makes deliveries to 400 to 800 customers in 14 counties each day, according to company officials.
