Fayetteville’s newest casual furniture retailer, Georgia Backyard, is the 2006 recipient of the prestigious Grand Apollo Award for excellence in retailing for the casual furniture industry.

Widely recognized and respected as an industry leader and innovator, Georgia Backyard is also the 2006 Merchandiser of the Year by Casual Living Magazine (multi-store category/previously honored in 2001). This recognition by the casual furniture industry’s top trade organization and leading trade publication occurs as Georgia Backyard celebrates its 15th year in business.

“We are proud of our achievements,” said Dino Luckino, president of Georgia Backyard, Inc. “These awards are presented to retailers who are believed to exemplify the very best attributes of those in our industry, and who deliver the best service and value to their customers.”

Georgia Backyard operates five 20,000-foot showrooms throughout greater Atlanta, including its newest location in Fayetteville, Ga. across from the Fayette Pavilion at the intersection of Ga. Highway 85 and Promenade Pkwy. Georgia Backyard also operates similar stores in Plano and Southlake, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla. under the name American Backyard.

Georgia Backyard’s locations provide in-store design services, the largest inventory of in-stock merchandise, and the most innovative casual living products on the market, which include grills, Sundance Spas and gas logs and accessories. The company is also surfacing as an industry pioneer in the area of employee training by designing and implementing an accreditation program for all its associates. The program was created to ensure that every Georgia Backyard associate is an expert in his or her prescribed disciplines and on every product the company carries.

To learn more about Georgia Backyard, visit www.georgiabackyard.com.