The start of the new fiscal year in June brought big changes to Patios Plus with consolidation of its two locations and the impending retirement of co-owner Jim Schultz. 

But rest assured, the retailer remains a contender.

“We were up 17% in July, so the one store is doing as well as the two stores did,” said Schultz, who plans on turning over his duties as company president to his sister and business partner, Kristine Schultz Hutchinson, at the end of the year.

The 10,000–sq.-ft. Patios Plus showroom has been a Rancho Mirage staple for nearly 38 years. The now-closed 6,000-sq.-ft. La Quinto showroom opened nine years ago, when multi-million dollar homes and golf courses seemed to go up overnight. 

“Each year we have to evaluate the situation with the economy the way it is. In this part of southern California, things have not gotten any better,” Schultz said.

Still, margins are up and expenses under budget, with OW Lee and Tropitone continuing to be the retailer’s top sellers. Another high note for the season has been the ongoing success of Hutchinson’s design business, which is drawing clients from a larger geographical base primarily for remodels of custom homes.

“Many of her clients have homes in Los Angeles or San Diego, and will contact her for projects. So it’s been a good source of revenue,” Schultz said.

Following his retirement, Schultz will remain involved in the financial management of the business with frequent trips from his new home in Arizona. In the meantime, his daughter, Amanda Schultz Smith, continues to assume more responsibility in the company, working closely with her aunt.

Patios Plus has been nominated for an Apollo Award 14 times in the last 16 years, and has won the award three times. Though the retailer won’t be competing in the Multi-Store Category in 2015, its leadership role in the industry is secure.