Housewares Foundation to Honor Gourmet Catalog’s Founder

Janis Johnson, president and founder of Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group, has been selected to receive the Specialty Retailer Humanitarian of the Year honor at the Housewares Charity Foundation’s 17th Annual Gala in Chicago on March 17, 2014. 

This honor will be the first to acknowledge the importance of the independent retailer in the housewares industry. The gala will be celebrating its 17th year in a new location: Chicago’s Navy Pier. James Beard Award-winning chefs will be creating their signature specialties for attendees.

The evening will provide an opportunity for the housewares industry to celebrate the importance of independent retailers for the first time. Gourmet Catalog (GC) is asking participating stores, vendor members and reps to attend by encouraging vendor members to purchase tables and host GC store members at the event. 

All funds raised from this event will be contributed to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, allowing scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide to conduct advanced breast cancer research.