Central Arizona Reserve

History: “Central Arizona Supply started in 1968, and the first showroom opened in 1975,” says co-owner Jeremy Smith, who serves as showroom director and head of sales. Formed by his grandfather and his great uncle, Harry and Bob Smith, the company started out as a plumbing supply business. “They sold pipe valves and fittings—basically the stuff you see behind the walls—plus fixtures and faucets,” Jeremy recalls. There are now 11 locations in Arizona specializing in plumbing supply, seven of which have showrooms, as well as a 100,000-square-foot distribution center. “Two years ago, we started selling kitchen appliances out of two of the showrooms, and the concept really took off,” Jeremy notes. “We only had a handful of lines in the beginning, adding more and more as demand exceeded all expectations. We now have four showrooms that are displaying and selling appliances.” The latest, Central Arizona Reserve, is a division of the parent company that is predominately focused on appliances and luxury. “Central Arizona Reserve was my opportunity to turn up the volume on higher-end products and truly showcase the best of the best in each category,” he adds.

Naming rights: Jeremy says a friend of his came up with the idea of including “reserve” in the name of this new endeavor, pointing out that it’s a word associated with fine wine. “It’s what someone pulls out when they want to share their best with you,” he adds. “So it fits perfectly.”

What’s in store: The 10,000-square-foot Central Arizona Reserve showroom is filled with wow factor for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, butler’s pantry and outdoor kitchen, including a selection of eye-catching lighting, hardware and faucets. One could say that, like an art museum filled with Old Masters paintings, it houses a collection that is diverse and cherry picked. “My real goal is to add the unique products that you don’t see elsewhere,” Jeremy says. In addition to carrying the most Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove products found anywhere in the Valley, several new luxury brands have been recently added to the appliance lineup. These include Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, Heston, Liebherr, Lynx, Miele and PITT Cooking. In addition, customers can sample coffee from three different machines and peruse the latest innovations, including French-door ovens, handle-free dishwashers and wall ovens that open by touch, and digital displays offering information that takes the guesswork out of cooking.

Custom components: When asked about products with custom options, Jeremy says a handful of companies are on board with the idea. Blue Star allows buyers to select range colors and customize finishes for knobs, bezels and handles. And PITT offers cooktops with individual burners that can be configured as desired.

Custom components: When asked about products with custom options, Jeremy says a handful of companies are on board with the idea. Blue Star allows buyers to select range colors and customize finishes for knobs, bezels and handles. And PITT offers cooktops with individual burners that can be configured as desired.

Don’t miss: Toto’s zero-gravity Flotation Bathtub is a sight to behold. Complete with a headrest and LED lighting, the curvaceous 7-foot-long beauty completely suspends the body for a totally relaxing experience. Also jaw-dropping are Heston’s showy red outdoor grill and Signature Kitchen’s range. The latter features multiple built-in components, including sous vide, induction and gas cooktops, steam and conventional ovens and a digital screen offering step-by-step instructions for a variety of cooking tasks.

What are you most proud of: “We’ve been a family-owned business from the start,” Jeremy says. “My brother, sister and I are third-generation owners.” Currently, eight of the company’s 145 employees are family members: “My uncles are buyers of our plumbing lines; my dad is on the board of the national buying group we are part of; my brother is responsible for operations; my sister manages our customer service department; and I’m responsible for sales.

“We think of ourselves as part of the community and we think of our clients the same way,” he adds. “My dad has always said ‘Do the right thing and the business will follow.’ At the end of the day, when it is a family business, it’s your name that is on the line, and we take that seriously.”

What’s next: Stay tuned for details on forthcoming The Higley Barns, which will incorporate the historic Potato Barn in Gilbert. “In addition to creating the largest appliance and plumbing showroom in the East Valley, our goal is to have a beautiful outdoor space, along with a restaurant and other retail,” Jeremy enthuses. “We plan to open by early 2022.”