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By
Kimberly Rodgers
Photography by Means Advertising
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| Catherine A. Galbreath, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 Apollo Awards banquet, with her daughter, Cathy Galbreath-Watson
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In September 2007, Catherine A. Galbreath, owner of ABSCO Fireplace & Patio (Birmingham, Ala.) received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 48th Annual Apollo Awards banquet during the Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™. The Casual Furniture Retailers Association and the Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association selected Galbreath to be one of the recipients of this prestigious honor because of her exemplary contributions to the casual-furniture industry and her local community.
Galbreath describes her feelings upon learning that she was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award as overwhelming. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would receive this most prestigious award,” she says. “There are so many people in our industry who are very deserving and have been idols to all of us.” Since ABSCO Fireplace & Patio had never been an Apollo Award finalist, Galbreath was even more surprised by the honor. “I could not believe this was actually happening to me,” she says. “I thank CFR and SCFMA so much for selecting me and making my trip to Chicago very special. I felt like a movie star that evening, with all the love and attention I received.”
Giving Back
Galbreath strongly believes in lending her time, talents and experience to her industry and community in several ways. She served on the board of directors of CFR for six years and believes that it’s very important for retailers to be involved in their industry associations. “I joined CFR at its inception and have made many lifetime friendships. The education and networking it has provided have been our backbone and have played a big part in our success,” she says.
Galbreath says she is most fervent, however, about her involvement with the Shriners Hospitals for Children™, a one-of-a-kind international health-care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal-cord injuries or cleft lips/palates are eligible for admission and receive all their care in a family-centered environment, at no charge, regardless of financial need.
“I have a passionate love for helping children through the Shriners Hospitals,” Galbreath says. She become involved with the Shriners Hospitals as a member of the Daughters of the Nile, a benevolent international organization founded for women who are related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason or Daughter of the Nile. Galbreath’s husband John has been a member of the Shriners organization for many years. Each year, the Daughters of the Nile contribute over $1 million to Shriners Hospitals located throughout North America.
“Through our fundraising events, we promote our goal of providing a better quality of life to children who are in need,” she says. “John and I have visited a number of hospitals through the years, and it’s been so rewarding and heartwarming to see all that is involved in the care of children. We have so much fun helping them.”
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| Serving the Birmingham, Ala., area, ABSCO Patio & Hearth has three retail locations and a wholesale hearth division offering a full range of outdoor casual products. |
Keeping It In The Family
John Galbreath founded Alabama Building Specialties Company in 1965. In the beginning, ABSCO primarily sold fireplaces, central vacuums, spiral staircases and compact kitchens. Catherine Galbreath joined the company in 1971 to help her husband with the business.
It was after a trip to a Chicago market in 1977 that the Galbreaths decided to add outdoor furniture to their merchandise mix, and the business became ABSCO Fireplace & Patio Furniture. “I found so much passion for outdoor furniture that it changed my life forever,” Galbreath says.
Today, ABSCO Fireplace & Patio has three retail locations in the Birmingham area, as well as a wholesale hearth division. The retailer sells a full range of outdoor casual lines, hearth products, accessories and grill products from high-end manufacturers, including Meadowcraft, Woodard, Telescope Casual, Lloyd/ Flanders, Carter Grandle, Homecrest, Robert H. Peterson and Big Green Egg.
While John Galbreath has since retired from ABSCO, Catherine Galbreath still comes to work every day, handling a variety of administrative functions. “I absolutely love it,” she says. “I don’t ever want to retire.”
Her son, John Galbreath Jr., and his wife, Nan, and daughter, Joy, manage ABSCO’s wholesale hearth division. Her daughter Cathy Galbreath-Watson and her husband, Glen, manage all three retail locations.
The Galbreath children mirror their mother’s involvement with their own contributions to the industry. John Galbreath Jr. has served on the board of directors of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, also serving as past chair. Cathy Galbreath-Watson has served on the board of directors of CFR for many years. “I am so proud of them, and we make a great team. We all have a passion for our industry,” Galbreath says.
She sees a bright future for the casual-furniture industry, even with the current downturn in the housing market. “Today, we are seeing more outdoor rooms, and builders are meeting that need by adding outdoor products in new construction,” Galbreath says. “Higher gas prices are going to make the outdoor room an even better solution. People will stay home more and enjoy the comforts of home.”
While ABSCO Fireplace & Patio has cut back slightly on product orders, it is looking ahead to a great year. “You always have to stay positive,” Galbreath says. “We love our customers, and we do everything we can to give them the best service possible. We are all a great big happy family, working together to show customers how important they are to us. You have to dedicate yourself to making customers happy, and they will surely be back with their friends.”
PHPR July/August 2008
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