COLORADO BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
  • Laureates By Name
  • Laureates by Year
    • 2023
  • Sponsors
  • Host Committee
  • Junior Achievement
  • PBS Specials
  • Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Nomination Form
  • Laureates By Name
  • Laureates by Year
    • 2023
  • Sponsors
  • Host Committee
  • Junior Achievement
  • PBS Specials
  • Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Nomination Form

Jacob "Jake" Jabs

The fourth of nine children, Jacob "Jake" Jabs was born and raised in rural Montana, and his parents were immigrants from Russia and Poland. After a stint selling electronics in the early 1950s, Jabs’ first serious venture into the furniture business came in 1968 when he opened Mediterranean Galleries, a high-end furniture store located in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Billings, MT. 

Five years later, the Mediterranean trend in home furnishings ran its course, and Jabs chose to close the Galleries. Not long after, Jabs came across an opportunity that would become his life. In 1975, he purchased a one-location, struggling furniture business called American Furniture Company, which he renamed American Furniture Warehouse. 

The self-taught businessman credits American Furniture’s success to “the basic American philosophy of hard work, long hours, self confidence, the courage to take risks, and the desire to give value and service to every customer." 

An active community member and philanthropist, Jabs lends his support to several non-profit organizations. He serves as National Vice-President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He is actively involved with Easter Seals, the Children’s Hospital, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, American Heart Association, and numerous other causes.

Jabs is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the American Legion Community Service Award and Montana Small Business Person of the Year, to name but a few.
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Throughout his career as a major furniture importer as well as in his early years in the Armed Services, Jabs has traveled throughout more than 50 countries and has made a lifelong study of various forms of government and business. He often speaks to high school and college students on topics such as the basics of business and the keys to success. 
The Colorado Business Hall of Fame is co-presented by
Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain Inc. and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Videos produced by Becky Holden of Biography Media, Becky@BiographyMedia.org