NEDERLAND — The Home Furnishings Association announced Howell Furniture, with stores in Nederland, Beaumont and Lake Charles, La., as its 2019 Retailer of the Year.

Howell Furniture was recognized in the large retailer category, those with 50 or more employees.

Founded in 1959 by W. Thurman Witt, Howell Furniture’s current owners include his grandchildren, Shawn Hanley and Wade Witt, and long-time president, Tom Schwaab.

The celebration and award presentation starts at 2 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Beaumont location. Mark Schumacher, HFA Executive Vice President, will present Howell Furniture with the Retailer of the Year award.

The local community is encouraged to attend and congratulate their hometown retailer.

“We could not be prouder of Howell Furniture,” said Sharron Bradley, CEO of the Home Furnishings Association. “Although it has a long history in Beaumont, it perhaps has never been more important to its hometown than in recent years when it provided desperately needed assistance to families who lost their homes and belongings to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019.

“The owners and staff are truly wonderful neighbors to their customers and fellow residents of the Gulf Coast region.”

The home furnishings industry nominated HFA members based on exceptional examples of philanthropy, technology, customer experience, mentoring, sustainability and store design/merchandising.