Comrie receives Lifetime Achievement Award
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, May 26, 2008
Toronto — Bill Comrie, founder of what is now the Brick Group Income Fund, will be honored with the Retail Council of Canada's Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala here June 2, during the group's annual conference.
"Dr. Comrie is a true Canadian business icon," said RCC President and CEO Diane Brisebois. "Over the course of his distinguished career, Bill's combination of ingenuity, business acumen, work ethic and kindness have and continue to leave an indelible mark on the Canadian retail landscape."
After the death of his father, Comrie ended a promising hockey career at age 19 to care for his mother and brothers and take over his father's furniture store. He later sold the business, giving the proceeds to his mother, and borrowed C$8,000 to start Bill Comrie's Furniture in Edmonton, Alberta.
The company is now known as the The Brick. After it went public in July 2004, Comrie stepped down as chairman and CEO.
At the end of 2007, the Brick Group employed more than 7,000 people and had sales in excess of C$1.6 billion. Operating under four banners — The Brick, The Brick Mattress Store, The Brick Superstore and United Furniture — the company is the largest retailer of furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics in Canada with more than 200 stores.
Comrie has been deeply involved in charity work, including chairing the capital campaigns for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.
More information about the RCC's Store 2008 conference is on its Web site at www.storeconference.ca.
