2024 Best of the Best Winner: Hearth & Home
Every year, as part of the Daily Herald Media Group’s Readers’ Choice program, we ask readers to vote for their favorites in more than 200 categories, including the areas of dining, entertainment, business, shopping, places and people.
This year, readers responded with more than 44,000 votes, which we narrowed down to the top vote-getters in each category, and featured in our Top Picks special section.
Readers voted again for their favorites — 88,000 votes! — to narrow it down to the 2024 Readers’ Choice Best of the Best Winners!
We are proud to showcase some of these winners with more information about who they are and what they offer.
HEARTH & HOME
2024 Readers’ Choice Best of the Best:
• Best Barbecue/Patio Furniture
• Best Fireplaces
Hearth & Home is a family owned and operated business that has been in Mt. Prospect since 1971. Hearth & Home specializes in efficient fireplaces, inserts and stoves in gas, wood and electric. We sell, install and service our products.
What do customers say they like about the way you do business?
Hearth & Home customers like the way we treat them. They are treated with respect and are educated on the products available so that they can make an informed decision on which item will best fit their needs.
What have you learned over the years that helps make your business a Readers’ Choice Best of the Best pick?
Hearth & Home is Best of the Best not only because of our great service, pricing and selection, but by how we treat our customers. We have learned to keep doing our best and to work hard for our customers year in and year out.
What makes your business or service unique?
Hearth & Home is unique because it has withstood the changing times. We continue to increase technology in our business, but we do it the old fashioned way. With honesty and integrity, for over 50 years we have proven that this business model has proven correct for our customers and the O’Donnell family.
Why do you think you were voted a Readers’ Choice Best of the Best?
Hearth & Home was voted Best of the Best because customers see us as we really are. Every single one of us tries our hardest to do right for the customer, and I think that shows true to our customers.
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
Hearth & Home sells, installs and services Gas Direct Vent Fireplace Inserts that turn an otherwise cold inefficient hole in the wall fireplace into a warm efficient beautiful fireplace. For those who want a non-gas option, the new electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts use a holographic type of technology to produce an almost real look.
Does your company donate time or money to any philanthropic causes? If so, what causes?
Hearth & Home donates money to a variety of organizations, including Lemons of Love who helps those with cancer and to Gerry’s Cafe who helps to provide work to adults with disabilities and to provide them with a sense of purpose and belonging.
We also partner with one of our suppliers, Stoll Industries, to serve those who are underprivileged and disadvantaged. A portion of each purchase through Stoll Industries goes to support various mission efforts.
What community involvement does your business participate in?
Hearth & Home is involved with the Chamber of Commerce and donates to organizations as previously mentioned in the hopes that our small business can continue to be an integral part of the community.
What do you do to make your business a good place to work for your employees?
Hearth & Home has always had employees that have been with us for decades. We include them and treat them like family. We share in the celebrations of their birthdays, special events of their lives and get to know their families. We have daily, weekly, monthly and yearly meetings with our various teams and communicate so we are all on the same page. We have a motto here called H-E-A-R-T-H. It stands for Honesty, Efficiency, Attitude, Respect, Trust and Helpfulness.
What is one interesting fact about your company that most people may not know?
That our original name was OWL Appliance & Heating. It stood for O’Donnell and Waldman out on a limb and the logo was of an owl perched on a limb. Several years later, after a partner passed away, we were renamed Hearth & Home as that name was more reflective of what we were about.