By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
Mike Hart has been supporting Habitat for Humanity in Brewton for many years — no recognition necessary.
As each new family has moved into a house built by volunteer labor and sweat equity, Hart has donated a gift card from Badcock Furniture as a housewarming gift.
Hart took his support public Tuesday as the store he owns and manages donated $1,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Escambia County during Badcock’s grand opening celebration.
The check will be used to help build Habitat’s 16th house, to be built in Brewton this fall, Glaize said.
The check presentation was part of the grand opening for the new Badcock store, located on U.S. 31 South. Local and corporate Badcock employees, members of Brewton’s business community and city leaders were on hand to help celebrate.
Hart said he appreciated the support from the community — and from his family and employees.
Badcock, headquartered where it was founded in Mulberry, Fla., is a chain that operates with a system of local dealers who can respond to customer service inquiries.
Hart was raised in Crestview, Fla., where his father Shelby ran a Badcock store for many years. After growing up in the business, Hart decided after a stint in the U.S. Navy that he wanted to run his own store.
He settled in Brewton and opened a store in the mid-1980s, then decided to expand and open a new store this year.
Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings said the city welcomes the new facility.