Gilberg Furniture
02-22-2012, 12:07 PM
For over 85 years, Gilberg Furniture has provided quality home furniture at tremendous value. Let us help you create that special place you'll love coming home to...day after day.
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 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 operated out of the same store front.
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 the 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 purchased the proprietorship 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 warehouse 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 are learning the furniture business.
• Paul and Earl showed caskets along with their furniture, small appliances, and radios. This may seem strange in modern times, but the furniture and undertaker businesses naturally fit together; The skilled furniture maker had all the tools and skills needed to make caskets, also. No embalming of bodies was actually done at the 5 North Main Street address. In 1929, most of the embalming done by undertakers was performed in the deceased person's home. Viewing of the dearly departed also took place in the deceased person's home. In 1937, Gilberg and Hegemier moved the undertaking part of the business to Paul's residence at 225 West Monroe Street. This is still the current location of what is now Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home. It was actually a funeral home, as the Gilberg family lived above the area where funerals and viewings were held. Two generations of Gilberg kids were raised in that house. The children had to be quiet while a viewing or funeral was taking place. That was quite a challenge at times! Paul and Pauline Gilberg sold the funeral home part of the business to John and Joyce Gilberg in 1974. After many successful years of undertaking, John and Joyce sold the business to nephew Steve Hartwig, who continues running the business.
104 Schwieterman Street
New Bremen, OH 45869
(419) 629-2911
www.gilbergfurniture.com (http://www.gilbergfurniture.com)
104 Schwieterman Street New Bremen, OH 45869
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 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 operated out of the same store front.
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 the 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 purchased the proprietorship 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 warehouse 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 are learning the furniture business.
• Paul and Earl showed caskets along with their furniture, small appliances, and radios. This may seem strange in modern times, but the furniture and undertaker businesses naturally fit together; The skilled furniture maker had all the tools and skills needed to make caskets, also. No embalming of bodies was actually done at the 5 North Main Street address. In 1929, most of the embalming done by undertakers was performed in the deceased person's home. Viewing of the dearly departed also took place in the deceased person's home. In 1937, Gilberg and Hegemier moved the undertaking part of the business to Paul's residence at 225 West Monroe Street. This is still the current location of what is now Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home. It was actually a funeral home, as the Gilberg family lived above the area where funerals and viewings were held. Two generations of Gilberg kids were raised in that house. The children had to be quiet while a viewing or funeral was taking place. That was quite a challenge at times! Paul and Pauline Gilberg sold the funeral home part of the business to John and Joyce Gilberg in 1974. After many successful years of undertaking, John and Joyce sold the business to nephew Steve Hartwig, who continues running the business.
104 Schwieterman Street
New Bremen, OH 45869
(419) 629-2911
www.gilbergfurniture.com (http://www.gilbergfurniture.com)
104 Schwieterman Street New Bremen, OH 45869