Gilberg Furniture was founded in 1926 by Paul Gilberg
and Earl
Hegemier. It was originally located in the old John Blase
building, which is the present day location of Marathon Gas
Station. The name of the business was The people's radio and
Gift Shop. As the name suggests, they sold Majestic and Crosley
radios, small household appliances, and Crosley refrigerators.
In 1929, Paul and Earl moved the business to 5 North Main
Street . This building was
previously occupied by Don Houts Restaurant. This building no longer exists. The new
building had more display area, so the two men added a line of furniture to
fill their empty space. Interestingly, they also bought out the
Albert Undertakers business. The name was changed to Gilberg and Hegemier Funeral Directors. Both the furniture business and the funeral business were run out of the same store front. (More Info.)
The need for more space, caused Gilberg and Hegemier to change buildings, again, in 1959. They purchased the Schulenberg Building. This is presently the site of The Bicycle Museum of America. The lease was purchased from Woodmen Hall in the same building to give the partners even more show room.
Due to failing health, Earl Hegemier sold his portion of the business to Paul and Pauline Gilberg. The business name was then changed to Gilberg Furniture. John (Paul's son) and, his wife, Joyce Gilberg purchased the proprietership in 1974. The Cornerstone Shop building, which was attached to the Schulenberg building was purchased in 1986 adding more furniture display area.
Still needing more space to meet growing demand, Gilberg Furniture moved to it's present location at 104 Schwieterman Street in 1996. The new building features more square footage of showroom, office,
and store room space so that we may serve our customers better. Two of John and
Joyce's children and their spouses took up a share of ownership when the move was
made. Joe and Jill Borkowski, and James and Diane Gilberg are the third generation
of Gilbergs to run the store. Some of Paul Gilberg's great grandchildren are currently working at the store and learning the furniture business.
Hegemier. It was originally located in the old John Blase
building, which is the present day location of Marathon Gas
Station. The name of the business was The people's radio and
Gift Shop. As the name suggests, they sold Majestic and Crosley
radios, small household appliances, and Crosley refrigerators.
previously occupied by Don Houts Restaurant. This building no longer exists. The new
building had more display area, so the two men added a line of furniture to
fill their empty space. Interestingly, they also bought out the
Albert Undertakers business. The name was changed to Gilberg and Hegemier Funeral Directors. Both the furniture business and the funeral business were run out of the same store front. (More Info.)
The need for more space, caused Gilberg and Hegemier to change buildings, again, in 1959. They purchased the Schulenberg Building. This is presently the site of The Bicycle Museum of America. The lease was purchased from Woodmen Hall in the same building to give the partners even more show room.
Due to failing health, Earl Hegemier sold his portion of the business to Paul and Pauline Gilberg. The business name was then changed to Gilberg Furniture. John (Paul's son) and, his wife, Joyce Gilberg purchased the proprietership in 1974. The Cornerstone Shop building, which was attached to the Schulenberg building was purchased in 1986 adding more furniture display area.
Still needing more space to meet growing demand, Gilberg Furniture moved to it's present location at 104 Schwieterman Street in 1996. The new building features more square footage of showroom, office,
and store room space so that we may serve our customers better. Two of John and
Joyce's children and their spouses took up a share of ownership when the move was
made. Joe and Jill Borkowski, and James and Diane Gilberg are the third generation
of Gilbergs to run the store. Some of Paul Gilberg's great grandchildren are currently working at the store and learning the furniture business.
