Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
Jack Fleischer '75
In 1944 in a converted warehouse, Jack Tenzel had a dream that has transcended four generations, previously known as Hermitage Lighting Gallery and now rebranded as Hermitage Design Center.
In 1968, son-in-law Gerald Fleischer cut the ribbon to 16,000 square feet of light fixtures, antique lamps and lampshades. Gerald’s son, Jack, grew the dream to reach all 50 states and encompass six businesses to include kitchen cabinetry, appliances and luxurious bath fixtures. Hermitage Design Center is celebrating 80 years in business, with Jack’s daughter and sons now involved in the business.
In 2004, when Habitat of Greater Nashville opened its first ReStore on 8th Ave. S. Jack Fleischer came to the grand opening and never really left. He began donating lighting to the ReStore and then directly as Gift in Kind to Habitat homes. In the fall of 2014, Hermitage Lighting Gallery donated its 300th lighting package to a Habitat home! In the fall of 2024, 10 years later, the 700th lighting package was donated. This incredible partnership continues to this day.
In 2010, Jack competed in an Ironman competition and encouraged friends to make a donation to Habitat, raising $10,000. Why? “Habitat is a game changer, a community changer, a life changer. Kids go in with self-doubt and come out with confidence and the cycle of poverty broken. When you see them 10 years later, they are going off to college,” Jack said. “When it comes to Habitat, I really get it.”
In 2022, as part of its continuing shift to online sales accelerated by COVID and evolving purchasing patterns, Jack decided to close the original store location. Prior to passing the keys to the new owner, Jack reached out to Habitat, knowing they would not be taking all of the merchandise with them. This led to one of the largest donations ever to the ReStore when lighting displays, lighting fixtures and other products with a total resale value of over $750,000 was donated.
Over the twenty years he has been involved with Habitat, Jack has served as a Habitat Board Member and then as an Advisory Council member after he rolled off the Board. Jack now serves on the Emeritus Council and makes time to attend and actively participate in the meetings.
“Habitat changes peoples’ lives and it is the structure of the community they are changing,” says Jack.
For his two decades of continuous engagement, support and generosity to Habitat and Habitat ReStore, Habitat of Greater Nashville was proud to nominate Jack Fleischer of Hermitage Design Center for the Lifetime Achievement Award.