The Illinois Retail Merchants Association honored American Sale, Tinley Park, as its 2010 Illinois Retailer of the Year during a gala luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago.
The annual award is given to a retailer not only successful in business, but committed to community and civic affairs and respected in the industry. Illinois State Representative Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) nominated the company for the honor.
Now in its 50th year, the family-owned retail business has seven stores across Chicagoland and serves as the area’s leader in home recreation and holiday goods. It is led by founder and CEO Bob Jones, Sr., and his son, Company President Bob Jones, Jr.
“American Sale is a great example of how true passion translates into success in the retail industry,” said IRMA President & CEO David F. Vite.
By keeping a close eye on his market, embracing change and focusing on 110 percent customer service, the elder Jones succeeded in growing one of the state’s most unique retail businesses. In the spring and summer, its stores are stocked with pools, spas and patio furniture. But each autumn, American Sale becomes a holiday superstore with trees, wreaths, ornaments and lighting. Many customers simply know it as “the Christmas store.”
A natural salesman with a sincere dedication to his customers, Jones has enjoyed taking care of people ever since he was a boy shining shoes in his father’s barbershop. He opened the business as a toy store in south suburban Dolton in 1960 with $1,500 in inventory and a $35 cash register. In 1986 he stopped selling toys, focusing instead on home recreation and holiday merchandise.
Jones takes pride in selecting the best quality products from across the globe and offering them to his customers at the lowest possible prices. They are shipped directly to the company’s 215,000 square-foot warehouse in Tinley Park and delivered to the customer without outside help. Maintaining control over quality and condition of the merchandise has resulted in a 97 percent customer satisfaction rate.
American Sale employs a staff of 250, many of whom have worked there 20 or 30 years. The company gives back generously to the community, supporting Catholic schools, the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s research among other charities. Jones, Sr. served as an Economic Development Commissioner in Tinley Park for three years and Bob Jones, Jr. currently serves on IRMA’s Board of Directors.
The company has stores in Bridgeview, Lansing, Merrillville, IN, Naperville, Orland Park, Romeoville and Tinley Park.
The event begins with a reception at 11:30 a.m. followed by a noon luncheon. For information on attending IRMA’s 53rd Annual Luncheon, contact Dale Basowski at 312/726-4600 or email dbasowski@irma.org. The cost is $85 per person or $750 for a table of 10. For information on sponsoring the luncheon, call Rob Karr at 217/544-1003 or email rkarr@irma.org.
