Ambiance: The Art of Innovation

Innovating is a priority for the United Buyers Group and to such an extent that, in 2010, the group had the confidence to veer off the beaten track and create a range of fireplaces (and, today, barbecues too) that really meet the wants and needs of their customers. How did they achieve this? They found strength through unity.

The United Buyers Group consists of over 250 retailers who sell fireplaces, stoves, grills and accessories in Canada and the United States. While each retailer is a key group member, they all remain independent merchants, proud of their companies and their history. Around 100 members of the group worked together to define the fireplace of the future.

An Unusual Process

Ideas within the group began for flow seven years ago. They make the most of the annual event at the Buyers’ University in Nashville to ask their members two questions, including, “If this fireplace was installed in your home, how should it be different to what’s currently available on the market?”. Their objective was to design the best gas fireplace based on what consumers really want and at more affordable price.

In doing this, they used an unusual process to innovate, accessing specialist knowledge from people who sell and use these devices every day. They were lucky enough to have access to families through their members. Rich Hendrickson, owner of Burlington Fireplace & Solar based in Burlington, believes that this leads to a sense of pride and a sense of belonging. “Being part of the design and quality control process (for Ambiance) makes you feel like you own the brand,” says Hendrickson. He continued by saying, “Consumers know that you care just as much about the product as if it were your own”.

Fireplace Innovations

Since starting out in 2012, Ambiance has received many complimentary reviews. Above all, the brand has evolved to ensure it stays at the cutting edge and always relates to its customers.

What makes these products different? According to Dominique Pagé, Director of Merchant Development at the United Buyers Group, fireplaces differ in both style and energy efficiency:

  • Fireplaces are made with the largest glass viewing area for their respective category. “Customers want to see their fire so we make sure they have the best view,” says Pagé.
  • Purchased directly from the manufacturer, there are many types of decorative doors offered in a wide variety of colors.
  • Ambiance Gas Fireplaces rank very high when it comes to energy efficiency. “Customers in Oregon and British Columbia can benefit from governement tax credits when choosing higher efficiency fireplaces. In the future, other regions will offer this type of initiative, so it is important for Ambiance Fireplaces to aim at leading the pack on efficiency ” says the Director of Merchant Development.

Innovation in Barbecues

In 2017, Ambiance also entered the barbecue market, bringing with it several improvements. Collaborative work has always been one of their priorities and this time was no exception. The group teamed up with Napoleon to offer customers a fully featured barbecue at a competitive price.

The Ambiance Grill comes with a charcoal enameled lid and matching doors. “Stainless steel doors get stained by the rain splashing off the ground and a stainless-steel lid finish may turn blue or brown over time, whereas the charcoal enameled finish will looks like brand-new for years,” explains Mr. Pagé.

The Ambiance BBQ has other features such as a stainless steel grid over the side burner, which is a feature typically only available on the Napoleon Prestige Pro Series, sold at a much higher price.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service ()

Auburn, AL

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
1280 Financial Ct.
Auburn, AL 36830

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Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

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Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

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Durango, CO

Durango Outdoor Living
140 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301

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Durango, CO

Four Corner Stoves & Spas
3001 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

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Grand Junction, CO

Stove Depot and Chimney Works
330 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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New London, CT

Family Hearth and Patio LLC
571 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320

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Ridgefield, CT

Yankee Doodle, Inc.
71 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877

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Dover, DE

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc.
1368b Rose Valley School Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

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Destin, FL

Doodlebuggers Service Network
36054 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

Bettendorf, IA

Fireplaces Plus, Inc.
1745 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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Post Falls, ID

Quality Stoves & Home Furnishings
569 N Syringa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

Rockford, IL

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc.
3486 Lonergan Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

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Wauconda, IL

Grass Roots Energy, Inc.
28751 N Route 12
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Evansville, IN

Firemaster, Inc.
5300 E Morgan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

Jeffersonville, IN

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales
915 Nachand Ln
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

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Overland Park, KS

Kansas City Fireplace Center
10470 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212

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Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

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Littleton, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
60 White Street
Littleton, MA 01460

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Seekonk, MA

The Fireplace Showcase
775 Fall River Ave
Seekonk, MA 02771

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Sudbury, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
348 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

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Duluth, MN

Duluth Stove & Fireplace
2431 W Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55806

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Minneapolis, MN

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces
2901 Franklin Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Oakdale, MN

Energy Savers of Minnesota
6298 Highway 36 Blvd N
Oakdale, MN 55128

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Rochester, MN

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe
1904 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

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Walker, MN

Wilkening Fireplace Company
9608 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484

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Fargo, ND

Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc.
701 28th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Omaha, NE

Fireplace By Design
13913 R Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137

Epping, NH

The Stove Shoppe
285, Calef Highway Rte. 125
Epping, NH 03042

Windham, NH

The Stove Shoppe
25 Indian Rock Road
Windham, NH 03087

Hamilton, NJ

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home
1731 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, NJ 08619

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Voorhees, NJ

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc.
476 Centennial Blvd
Voorhees, NJ 08043

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St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

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Media, PA

Chimney Cricket
101 State Road
Media, PA 19063

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Rapid City, SD

Hebron Brick Company
1543 Deadwood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57709

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Sioux Falls, SD

Hebron Brick Company
2211 W. 50th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525

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Vermillion, SD

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc.
710 Cottage Avenue
Vermillion, SD 57069

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Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

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Barre, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10
Barre, VT 05641-2317

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Bennington, VT

Friends of The Sun
126 Hicks Avenue
Bennington, VT 05201

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Manchester, VT

Friends of The Sun
159 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255

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Shelburne, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
3113 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482

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White River Jnct, VT

Home Comfort of New England
1255 VA Cut Off Road
White River Jnct, VT 05001

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Burlington, WI

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC
857 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI 53105

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Madison, WI

Top Hat
5117 Verona Rd
Madison, WI 53711

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Morgantown, WV

Rustic By Design
709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15
Morgantown, WV 26505

Laramie, WY

High Country Stoves & Fireplaces
860 N. 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82072


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

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