A salute to longevity

Just finished compiling Furniture/Today’s annual Beyond the Top 100 report, which publishes in next week’s issue. This feature presents snapshots of 100 independent furniture stores across the U.S. Many of these stores are the next tier, in terms of sales, beyond our Top 100 U.S. Furniture Stores ranking. Other stores on the alphabetical listing, while smaller in sales, stand out in different ways.

I believe one of the most unique aspects of the home furnishings industry is its history. Mom and pop stores, the bread and butter of our retail universe, have been providing unparalleled service and exciting styles and products, while creating solutions to problems, for years and years. Most are family-owned and many have passed down trade secrets for generations.

In a tribute towards longevity, I would like to take a moment to highlight the six furniture stores on Furniture/Today’s 2009 Beyond list who have been in business for more than 110 years.

Bridgman’s Furniture, Lebanon, N.H., founded in 1891

D.T. McCall & Sons, Carthage, Tenn., founded in 1896

Hermann Furniture, Brenham, Texas, founded in 1876

Holder’s Furniture, Owensville, Ind., founded in 1874

Montgomery’s Furniture, Sioux Falls, S.D., founded in 1888

Rosenthal Furniture, Minneapolis, founded in 1895

These furniture stores have survived the Great Depression and 15 economic recessions. Congratulations, we salute you!