Gorman's celebrates 70th anniversary, opens designer closeout shops

Michigan retailer was founded in 1940

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, November 24, 2010

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Upscale Michigan retailer Gorman's is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a series of promotions running through the rest of the year.

A series of ads announces sales promotions at Gorman’s to celebrate the Michigan retailer 70th anniversary.

The company also announced it has added in-store designer closeout shops in three of its four Detroit-area stores and has been named a Top Workplace in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press.

Founded by Ben Gorman in 1940, the retailer at first took damaged freight from railroads - typically canned goods - and resold them. Later Gorman started fixing and reselling damaged furniture, and Gorman's became the place to purchase furniture in metro Detroit, according to the company.

In 1965, Gorman sold the company to Bernie Moray, now CEO, who continues to lead the business with partners Tom Lias, Jeff Roberts and John Moray.

A year after acquiring Gorman's, Moray opened the Contemporary Gallery in Southfield, Mich., and later traditional showrooms in Troy, Novi and Lakeside, Mich. The upscale retailer promotes 100 brands, including Stickley, Henredon, Lexington, Stanley and Drexel Heritage, and says it takes pride in its high-caliber interior design staff.

"In the 45 years since I purchased Gorman's, I am truly amazed at what we have accomplished as a company," Moray said. "We make sure that we never forget where we came from and what Ben Gorman did to start this company. We strive to embody his ideals and commitment to quality and customer service every day."

Separately, Gorman's said it is opening designer furniture closeout shops in its stores in Novi, Lakeside and Southfield. The shops will offer discounts of 40% to 75% on furniture and accessories including special buys of manufacturer showroom samples, overruns and one-time buys. The shops, like the rest of the stores, also offer free in-house interior design help

Gorman's also was named a Top Workplace in Michigan in the small business category by the Free Press. More than 203 companies participated in the survey and were evaluated on revenue, incentive offers and number of employees.