4445 North Atlantic, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (Located off of Brown Road, East of Joslyn Road behind Sam’s Club and Home Depot)

Immediate interviews will be available. We are hiring for all positions; Sales, Drivers, Driver’s Helpers, Warehouse, Office Support and Customer Service.

Looking Forward and Giving Back

New Auburn Hills Store & Warehouse, Community & Customer Appreciation Parties, Charitable Giving & Fundraisers Highlight Centennial Events

            WARREN, MI, April 26, 2012 – Detroit furniture retailing pioneer and community benefactor Gardner-White Furniture has reached a company milestone that is unimaginable for most businesses today – it’s 100^th anniversary.  Generations of devoted customers and dedicated employees enabled the family-owned, Michigan-based chain of furniture stores to achieve this significant, historic accomplishment.

With gratitude for a century of community support, Gardner-White will celebrate its 100^th anniversary by looking forward and giving back.  The company will expand its investment in metro Detroit with the addition of a new store and a larger, more modernized distribution center in Auburn Hills.  Gardner-White is also expanding its charitable and civic footprint in southeast Michigan as part of its centennial tribute.  And to thank its customers and the Detroit community as a whole for its continued support, the company will host special appreciation events throughout the year.

“Being part of the community we serve is not just a company motto, it’s truly who we are and the reason for what we do, and this is the key to Gardner-White’s longevity and success,” said Steve Tracey, president of Gardner-White Furniture.  “This commitment to the community is why we are celebrating our 100^th anniversary not by looking back, but by looking ahead to where we are going and how we can better serve those who have supported us.”

NEW AUBURN HILLS STORE & DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Increasing its community presence and investment, Gardner-White will open a new retail store and outlet in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  Additionally, the company will relocate and expand its distribution center and warehouse operations, as well as its corporate headquarters, to Auburn Hills.

“We have great confidence in the future of metro Detroit and its support for Gardner-White.  Therefore, we’re going to be making significant investments in the region by expanding to new communities and employing many more local residents; the new Auburn Hills site is the first of these developments.” said Tracey.

The new complex in Auburn Hills will be at 4445 N. Atlantic Blvd, near Great Lakes Crossing, and is expected to open in July or August 2012 as part of Gardner-White’s 100^th anniversary observance.  Construction renovation on the 455,000 square-foot facility began in January 2012, and includes a modernized distribution center, corporate offices and a 90,000 square foot retail store and warehouse outlet.

CHARITABLE INITIATIVES

Building upon its long legacy of giving back to the community, Gardner-White is observing its centennial by expanding its charitable and civic footprint through many philanthropic activities.   To begin with, a portion of all store sales made during a four-week 100^th anniversary sale, April 26 – May 23, will be donated to build houses for homeless veterans, in cooperation with Volunteers of America.  The non-profit organization is a long-time charity partner of Gardner-White’s and is annually supported with the “Adopt A Family” holiday season campaign; more than 5,000 families have benefitted since the program was implemented in Gardner-White stores in 2005.

Additionally, Gardner-White recently donated over $100,000 in lumber to Habitat for Humanity.  The lumber was salvaged from renovations done on the company’s new Auburn Hills distribution center and will be used in the construction of homes for needy families in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Other new community sponsorships to mark the centennial celebration include the Detroit Tigers’ “Kids Take the Field” and “Ultimate Fan Experience.”

Gardner-White will also continue its numerous other long-standing charitable initiatives, such as the in-store blood drives with the American Red Cross and WDIV-TV 4, a 10-plus year partnership and the most successful blood drive in southeast Michigan; the “Holiday Connection” program, in cooperation with WJBK-TV/FOX 2, to fulfill the needs of various local charities; WXYZ-TV 7’s “Best and Brightest” salute to academically successful high school seniors; and, the Detroit Public Schools’ “Adopt a School” project.

FREE PUBLIC PARTIES, SUPER SALES & ONLINE CONTEST

To thank the community that has supported it for a century, Gardner-White is hosting 100^th anniversary parties at all seven stores, April 28-29.   Everyone is invited to come and celebrate!  All guests will get to draw for a free gift; prizes include Gardner-White gift certificates ranging from $25 – $1,000, recliners, sofas and mattresses.  Come by between 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. each day for free face painting and cupcakes.  The family-friendly parties are open to the public and free of charge.

The weekend of festivities also kicks-off Gardner-White’s 100^th Anniversary Sale happening at all retail locations.  All store merchandise will be marked down, plus there will be 100 “hot buys,” and deep-discounts on electronics and furniture packages.  The four-week sale runs from April 26 – May 23. For more details about the sale, please visit www.gardner-white.com.

The fun continues online as Gardner-White hosts a special 100^th anniversary website contest, May 3 – 16.   Visit and register at www.gardner-white.com then start searching for 100 cupcakes that haven been hidden throughout the website. Each cupcake found is worth $1 in Gardner-White cash; find all 100 to receive a $100 Gardner-White gift certificate.   The top-grossing cupcake-hunters will be entered into a random drawing to win a $1,000 Gardner-White gift certificate.  For complete rules and more information, please visit www.gardner-white.com.

GARDNER-WHITE HISTORY, HIGHLIGHTS & INDUSTRY FIRSTS

The first Gardner-White Furniture store opened in 1912 on Mack Street near Mt. Elliot in Detroit, Michigan.  In the late 1950’s the company was purchased by Irwin Kahn, whose family still owns and operates the business today. Kahn’s keen retailing expertise and strong belief in giving customers the best quality shopping experience, laid the foundation for Gardner-White’s future expansion across metro Detroit.

Also helping to fuel its expansion were many successful sales strategies pioneered by Gardner-White that were later adopted by others in the home furnishings industry.   For instance, the company was the first furniture retailer in Michigan to use television advertising.  It was also the innovator of the “whole room package” in the 1960-70’s that allowed customers to “buy by the roomful and save,” while personalizing the pieces they wanted.

Gardner-White was also the first furniture retailer in Michigan to package furniture and brand-name (Samsung and Toshiba) televisions together, in partnership with electronics giant Best Buy.  This retailing collaboration began in 2009, and today, Gardner-White is one of Best Buy’s largest partners in the U.S.  Given the success of this joint venture, the companies will soon be announcing plans to expand their relationship.

EMPLOYEE AND VENDOR SUPPORT

Gardner-White employees and vendors have played an enormously critical role in the company’s success.  “Without their loyal support, we would not have reached our 100^th anniversary milestone and we are sincerely grateful,” said Tracey.  “We’re also very fortunate to have employees and vendors with us today whose parents worked with Gardner-White decades ago – that is a true testament to a company’s character and we’re very proud of it.”

“Gardner-White Furniture and Serta Restokraft Mattress have been doing business for 36 years. Gardner-White Furniture started as a Serta customer and turned out to be a very loyal and trusted business partner,” said Lawrence Kraft, President & CEO, Serta Restokraft Mattress Company. “What makes their 100 years in business so significant is that this Michigan-based business remains family-owned and is now operated by third generation family members. I am proud as a vendor and friend to be part of this milestone and wish Gardner-White another 100 years of success!”

ABOUT GARDNER-WHITE

For 100 years, Gardner-White Furniture has set the standard on quality, value and service.  With stores conveniently located throughout southeastern Michigan, the company offers value conscious consumers affordable prices on an excellent selection of stylish, quality furniture.   Additionally, Gardner-White’s exceptional, “no-pressure” customer service is paramount to its business philosophy; it is how the company became one of Metro Detroit’s most trusted furniture and mattress retailers.

Gardner-White Furniture is a privately owned and operated family company based in Warren, Michigan.   The company supports numerous community and charitable organizations including The American Red Cross, Volunteers of America and Habitat for Humanity.  For more information about Gardner-White, visit www.gardner-white.com.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be on the baseball field with the Detroit Tigers? Right there with the players while the crowd cheers from the stands? This can now be a reality for your child.

Gardner-White is proud to sponsor “Kids Take the Field”, a great opportunity for 11 kids ages 7-14, to “Take the Field” before the start of a Sunday home game. Each kid gets assigned a position on the field and then meets that player that plays in that position. The announcer will then announce to the cheering crowd the kids and their positions. Also, they will get an autographed baseball from that player! It’s an experience that they will never forget.

In addition, you get a total of 4 tickets so you can bring the whole family out for a day at the ballgame.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Download the entry form and bring it to any Gardner-White location and enter your child for a chance to “Take the Field.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Hiring Our Heroes” Hiring Fair sponsored by Hero2Hired (H2H) and Ryder System, Inc., scheduled for April 11, 2012, at the For Community & Performing Arts Center is committed to making this one-of–a-kind FREE hiring fair a win-win for employers and veteran/military spouse job seekers.

Employers and job seekers must pre-register for this FREE event by going to www.hoh.greatjob.net. Registration closes on April 3, 2012.  Job seekers please bring along proof of military service.

This hiring event, sponsored by Hero2Hired (H2H) and Ryder System, Inc. is being conducted by the  U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Dearborn, Detroit, Great Lakes and Southern Wayne County Regional, American Arab Chambers of Commerce,  City of Dearborn, U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (DOL VETS),  Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Michigan Veteran’s  Services Division, United States Army Reserve, Michigan National Guard, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR),  Vietnam Veterans of American Michigan State Council, Wayne County Veterans Affairs Division, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Wednesday – April 11, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI  48126

Registration for employers and job seekers closes April 3, 2012.

For more information:
Please contact Ms. Jennifer Giering, President, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce at jgiering@dearbornchamber.org or 313-584-6100

Canton/Plymouth: 11am – 8pm • 39453 Ford Rd., Canton, MI 48187, Phone (734) 844-3190
Macomb/Shelby Township: 11am – 8pm • 45300 Hayes Rd., Macomb Twp., MI 48042, Phone (586) 566-2610
Sterling Heights/Warren: 11am – 8pm • 4400 E. 14 Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48092, Phone (586) 826-8300
Taylor: 1:30 – 7pm • 7680 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 Phone (313) 295-1820 • Mobile Unit
Waterford: 11am – 8pm • 4945 Dixie Hwy., Waterford, MI 48329, Phone (248) 674-8990

As a token of our appreciation, all participants will receive a $50 gift certificate good on your next purchase at any Gardner-White. Plus, each store will have a drawing in which one participant will receive a $500 Gift Certificate.

How do I know if I am eligible to donate blood? You must be in good health, be at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 pounds. You will also need to pass physical and health history reviews prior to donating. There is no upper age limit on your ability to donate. Conditions that require a temporary deferral are pregnancy, travel to certain parts of the world, inoculations, some health conditions and certain medications. Call 1-800-GIVELIFE or visit www.redcrossblood.org to get answers to specific eligibility questions you may have. Final eligibility is determined by medical professionals at the time of donation.

Can I schedule an appointment? The American Red Cross has convenient appointment scheduling online at www.redcrossblood.org. For Step One, enter “gardnerwhite” and then select the location and time that is best for you. You can also call 1-800-GIVELIFE.

For the first time ever Gardner-White has compiled a beautiful 16-page catalog containing all the Employee Discount Sale deals. The Employee Discount Sale is one of the best times during the year to buy furniture because you pay what our employees pay – and not a penny more.

Don’t miss the new items featured like the Raven Bedroom Collection. There is no doubt that with it’s unique curved base it will become the featured room in your home.

We have also just added the Osborn Living Room to our Big Picture Package. Not only can you get this great microfiber sofa and loveseat but now you can have the whole package that includes tables, lamps and a state-of-the-art 51” Samsung HDTV.

With Easter just around the corner you can dine in style with our new dining set the Emily. Not only is it beautiful, at 78” long it’s large enough for the whole family.

That is just a few great items but there is so much more, check out the entire catalog and see for yourself. But hurry, the sale ends April 11th!

However, while the event started as a way to give our customers a bigger, better discount… it has grown into a way to also put the spotlight on our awesome Gardner-White team.

Lights, camera, action!

When you see Gardner-White TV commercials over the next several days, know you’re watching some of our most outgoing salespeople. Some of them have been at Gardner-White for more than 20 years (Ron T., Hall Road) and some have joined us within the last few months (Mashawn W., Southfield).

Shown in this video clip is our 14 Mile Road staff: (left to right) Luke B., Alex G., Vince R., Amy K. and Lenny B. Stop by and tell them you saw them on TV!

We checked out the Better Sleep Council’s website for some interesting Sleep FAQs.

Q. Why is sleep important?
A.Sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. Like eating right and exercising, sleeping well is essential to feeling your best during the day. It affects how you feel, your relationships, your productivity and your quality of life. While you sleep, your brain goes to work, consolidating the day’s learning into memory and re-energizing the body.

Q. Is it true that napping can be bad for you?
A. There’s nothing wrong with taking a short nap to help refresh you during the day. But if you find you’re napping all the time, it could be a sign that you aren’t getting as much sleep as you should. Or that you’re not getting the deep, restful sleep you need at night.

Q. Does the mattress affect how a person sleeps?
A. Yes. The mattress has the potential either to encourage sleep or rob you of sleep. Whether your mattress is a sleep friend or a sleep foe can determine how refreshed you feel in the morning. If you’re tossing and turning more at night or if you’re waking up feeling stiff or sore after a night’s sleep, it could be a sign that your current mattress is no longer the best for you. Your body appreciates a comfortable, supportive mattress and will let you know if it’s not up to the task.

Q. How much sleep does the average person need?
A. The average person needs 7-8 hours a night, but it differs for every person. Some people may need as much as 10 hours a night and others need much less. If you sleep longer on the weekends than during the week, you probably aren’t getting the sleep you need every night.

Q. What are some ways to get a better night’s sleep?
A. A few key things should help. Try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day – even on the weekends. This will help keep your biological clock in sync. Develop a sleep ritual by doing the same things each night just before bed. Parents often establish a routine for their kids, but it can help adults, too. A routine cues the body to settle down for the night. Another hint: Unwind early in the evening so that worries and distractions don’t keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Finally, create a restful sleep environment – sleep in a cool, quiet, dark room on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation – to get your best night’s rest. If you’re sleeping as much as you need, but still find that you’re sleepy during the day, you should consult your doctor to see if you might have a medical condition interfering with your sleep.

If you’re interested in checking out the latest in sleep technology, stop by the Gardner-White nearest you and talk to a mattress expert. Today’s mattresses can be an integral part of a great sleep solution designed just for you.