Successful, reputable companies understand the importance of building relationships with lifelong customers. The Fireplace People—with locations in West Berlin and Marmora—is no exception.

"We want to provide such excellent service that you can trust in us and refer us to all your contacts," co-owner Michael Campeggio says. "We will do everything in our power to accommodate schedules and budgets to make sure the process is as seamless as possible. Our customers come first, as we know they are the only reason we have been around for over 50 years."

With a dedicated staff that includes licensed master hearth specialists and NFI-certified experts, The Fireplace People has been installing all types of fireplaces—including electric, gas and wood-burning—in South Jersey homes since 1975. Their fireplace display in their West Berlin showroom is one of the largest in the region, and the company also boasts a full-service department for repairing gas fireplaces.

"People come to us if they are looking to add a fireplace to their living space, convert an existing wood-burning fireplace to gas or convert their inefficient wood fireplaces to efficient heaters," Campeggio says.

While ownership switched hands in 2023 when Campeggio and Pat Sobocinski bought the company, the pair maintained its strong reputation as the go-to spot for all things fireplace, along with the company's top-tier customer service. Having worked for the company for more than 20 years prior, the dedicated pair truly understood what The Fireplace People stood for before becoming owners.

Every job is approached with the same sense of care and attention to detail, whether it's needing a $15 part for a fireplace or hiring the team for a $10,000 installation. "We are dedicated to help those seeking our service and knowledge and position ourselves as the experts in our field," Campeggio says.

A common misconception is that The Fireplace People is a "chimney company," according to Campeggio. While they do not clean chimneys, they have strong industry relationships with companies that do and are happy to refer customers.

"We strongly believe that when you do something, do it well and do it the best. We don't spread ourselves thin over multiple services while not doing what we mainly do well," Campeggio explains. "We do fireplaces really well, so that is our focus."

Over their quarter century in the business, Campeggio and Sobocinski have seen trends and styles come and go. Right now, they're seeing the uncertainty surrounding gas and oil prices impacting fireplace decisions in the home.

"People are seeking more stable fuel choices by installing wood-burning stoves and also wood-burning inserts into existing fireplaces," Campeggio says.

The interest in electric fireplaces is also on the rise.

"They are so versatile that even those living in condos or apartments can add a fireplace feature to their living space to add a cozier feel," Campeggio adds.

Of course, gas fireplaces continue to be the company's mainstay. Once installed, a gas fireplace is going to provide 20 to 30 years of continued use with minimal upkeep.

"This is all assuming yearly maintenance is done, which is about a $300 per year investment," Campeggio says.

Another thing that hasn't changed over the years is why people are installing, updating and maintaining fireplaces, beyond their functionality as a source of heat.

"The fireplace is the gathering point of a family often in a space where the best, warmest memories are made," Campeggio says. "Imagine that Christmas morning or nestling up in the family room watching a movie. We often don't remember what was said but we always remember how we felt, and a fireplace can enhance that relaxed, warm feeling like no other."

Campeggio and Sobocinski understand there are many choices when someone is looking to add, replace or convert a fireplace in their home. When someone chooses The Fireplace People, they can rest assured they made the right decision.

"We will always do our best to provide you with not only the most functional solution for your situation but also the most dedicated team to your satisfaction," Campeggio says. "Whether it's a full-scale project or you just need service on your current fireplace, we are The Fireplace People and we are here to serve you."

The Fireplace People
West Berlin | (856) 768-0009
Marmora | (609) 390-8195
TheFireplacePeople.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 26, Issue 4 (September/October 2026)
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