Not your average store — or Joe
Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, June 27, 2005
Riverdale, N.J. — Bograd's Fine Furniture here will mark its 75th anniversary in August, which also is President Joe Bograd's 50th year with the upscale retailer.
Established as Bograd Brothers by Russian immigrants Sam and Dave Bograd — Joe's father and uncle — the store opened in 1930 in New Jersey's third-largest city, Paterson, then known as Silk City for its many silk manufacturing plants.
The store remained a fixture in Paterson for 65 years, 60 of them at the same Main Street address. Relocated in 1996 to this suburb 10 miles away, Bograd's continues under the leadership of Joe, his wife, Marcia, and their son, Mark, who is vice president.
It draws customers from throughout the metro New York market.
"We are located within 45 minutes from six or seven of the most affluent counties in the United States," said Mark Bograd.
One reason for the store's endurance, he said, is because there no longer are many stores specializing in "fine furniture."
With Stickley as its core line, Bograd's also sells furniture from Baker, Bevan Funnell, E.J. Victor, French Heritage, Harden, Hancock & Moore, Jeffco and Karges. It also offers rugs, accessories and lighting.
Joe Bograd's mantra long has been, "If it doesn't benefit the customer first, we don't do it." He says he wants customers "to feel each visit is more than a shopping excursion. It's part of a long-term relationship."
