Article Number : 4605 |
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| Date | 6/29/2009 8:43:50 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4605 |
| Abstract | THE DUKE: This issue of Floor Covering News, for the most part, is a tribute to Rite Rug, the multi-store specialty chain of Columbus, Ohio, that is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Today, the company is headed by Michael Goldberg, president and CEO. But what brought back a rush of reminiscences were thoughts of... |
| Article | THE DUKE: This issue of Floor Covering News, for the most part, is a tribute to Rite Rug, the multi-store specialty chain of Columbus, Ohio, that is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Today, the company is headed by Michael Goldberg, president and CEO. But what brought back a rush of reminiscences were thoughts of the original co-owner and cofounder— Duke Goldberg, father of Michael. Duke was a colorful, carefree, bon vivant who played hard, worked hard and packed 60 meaningful minutes into every hour. He had panache, boundless energy and a quick mind. I remember him 30, 40 years ago at the Chicago and Atlanta markets. I marveled at his stamina. Those were the days when markets were punctuated with lavish parties, elegant soirees and afterhours revelries. I would see Duke three or four times a night as I made my rounds of the festivities. My day would rush headlong into tomorrow and I would rise exhausted and head for the mart. Invariably I would find Duke, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, in a yawning showroom awaiting the morning rush of retailers. I never figured out how he did it…unless he had a twin. ROYALTY: The legendary Walter Guinan, industry icon and archivist, shared an amusing story about Duke one day over lunch. He was in the Barwick showroom during the opening day of the just-concluded Chicago winter market and asked if he could see Gene Barwick. The young salesman said Mr. Barwick was in the U.K. but plans to be in the showroom tomorrow. Then the young man mentioned, “Mr. Barwick met the Queen (Elizabeth II) last night.” “Really,” said Guinan, “well, last night I had dinner with the Duke.” The salesman seemed confused. “Duke Goldberg,” said Guinan, as he smiled and left the showroom. Funny, I knew Duke for decades and never learned his first name. Today, the mystery is solved: His name was David. Perhaps King would have been more suitable than Duke. GOOD SIGN: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the index for pending home sales rose in April for the third month in a row. The index hit 90.3, 6.7% ahead of March and 3.2% up from April 2008. The index is based on the number of home-sale contracts signed in each month. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said the steady climb in this indicator is due to the improved affordability of housing nationwide and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Well, it’s a start. ANOTHER: More good news is the Consumer Confidence Index rose more than 14 points in May to 54.9, according to the Conference Board, which compiles the index. This is the second straight month of significant improvement in this indicator and puts the index at its highest level in eight months. Lynn Franco, director of the board’s Consumer Research Center, said a pickup of 3.4 points in the Present Situation Index, one of the two components of the overall index, means that consumers have a rosier view of current economic conditions. Also, consumers are less pessimistic about the economy when looking ahead six months, evidenced by a 21.3-point leap in the Expectations Index, the other component. PASSING: Ann White, cofounder of White Good & Co. Advertising, has died. She was a dynamic force in the company and in the industry. Her entrepreneurial skills took her from a kitchen table in 1981, where she began her agency, to being a major integrated marketing and communications organization. She was highly esteemed, honored by colleagues and clients, and a friend to legions. She will be missed. White Good, which represents flooring companies, is now owned by Sherry Qualls. |