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[Pages S3159-S3160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ROYAL FURNITURE AND DESIGN
Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize
a service-minded small business. Small businesses fulfill important
needs in our communities, not only through their valuable products and
services, but also in their ability to connect with and assist their
fellow neighbors in times of need. It is my distinct pleasure to name
Royal Furniture and Design of the Florida Keys as the Senate Small
Business of the Week.
Founded in 1984, Royal Furniture and Design has grown from a single
retail store in Marathon, FL, to a full service home design and
remodeling company with three Keys showrooms and a warehouse in Florida
City. Owned and operated by the Elwell family, Ross and Janice own the
company, while their sons Chris and Ryan help to manage the Key West
and Marathon stores. Today, Royal Furniture and Design employs 40 full-
time workers. The Elwell family has long-standing, generational ties
with the Keys community as their family has been small business owners
in Marathon since 1959.
For decades, the Elwell's have been incredible philanthropists.
Following
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the devastation of Hurricane Irma, Royal Furniture and Design set up
tents in their parking lot and fed members of the community every day
for a month. Immediately following the hurricane, they donated space in
their former Marathon location to the American Legion to store
emergency relief and water supplies. In collaboration with other local
organizations, they helped 48 families who were severely impacted by
the storm with free, brand-new furniture.
Royal Furniture and Design is an outstanding example of the
charitable services that small businesses offer our communities
throughout Florida. They continue to host charity cooking events
throughout the Keys in addition to their Mardi Gras masquerade ball to
benefit the Fishermen's Community Hospital. In 2018, Royal Furniture
and Design was recognized as both the Best Family Owned Business and
Best Business by Marathon Rotary Club and the Marathon Weekly
Newspaper. Members of the Marathon community voted on these awards and
ultimately chose Royal Furniture and Design for their dedication to
customer service.
Royal Furniture and Design and the entire Elwell family are an
outstanding example of the American entrepreneurial spirit. They
continue to go above and beyond to serve the Keys community while
treating each customer like family. It is my pleasure to be able to
recognize the Elwell family and the entire team at Royal Furniture and
Design as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Congratulations, thank you for your service to Floridians, and I look
forward to watching your continued service and success.
____________________