After 86 years, family-owned furnishings retailer in Norfolk’s Neon District closing

[ad_1] In its heyday, the realm now referred to as the Neon District within the downtown part of Norfolk had quite a lot of furnishings shops.

Virtually all are gone, and on Dec. 31, Virginia Furnishings Co. will be part of the checklist. After 86 years, the family-owned and -operated retailer is holding a going-out-of-business sale.

First cousins Jeff and David Laibstain, second-generation homeowners and ages 64 and 69, respectively, have each determined it’s time to retire.

“We’ve been working just about six days per week for 40 years,” David Laibstain mentioned. “And , Sunday goes by fairly shortly.”

The lads took over the enterprise from their fathers, Leonard and Harry Laibstain, who began the enterprise collectively as youngsters in 1939.

Occasions have been powerful again within the Thirties and early Forties and so they have been in pursuit of a great dwelling. After the enterprise obtained going, Leonard took just a few business-related school programs. Harry, a proficient trumpet participant, additionally introduced in cash by enjoying alongside different swing period gamers.

The Laibstain brothers opened the enterprise of their residence within the Berkley part earlier than they settled on their first brick-and-mortar location on Church Road. Hire was $25 per thirty days.

In 1964, they relocated the enterprise close by to the outdated Downtown Plaza on St. Paul’s Boulevard. And in 2005, Virginia Furnishings Co. made its ultimate transfer to the nook of Granby Road and Olney Highway. All of the strikes have been inside a one-mile radius as the shop step by step elevated its footprint.

From the beginning, the brothers carpooled to and from the shop collectively six days per week. They labored side-by-side and ate lunch within the retailer’s dinette space.

Leonard Laibstain, Jeff’s father, labored within the enterprise for 80 years. The pandemic pressured his retirement, and he died in 2023 at 98. The recliner chair the place he loved many noon naps nonetheless has a distinguished place within the retailer.

Harry Laibstain, David’s father, labored till he was 91. He died in 2012 from pancreatic most cancers.

“I believe they have been the closest brothers in all probability on the planet,” David Laibstain mentioned. “And so they made a hell of a crew.”

Many say the identical about Jeff and David Laibstain. Typically mistaken for brothers, the 2 boast that they, like their fathers, by no means had an argument.

They joined the household enterprise in 1986 and, after devoting their time, gained respect from the neighborhood for his or her honesty and strong enterprise.

Collectively they juggled and divvied up the numerous obligations of small enterprise possession: promoting, housekeeping, merchandising, ordering, showcasing, promoting, answering telephones and bookkeeping.

Jody Laibstain, David’s spouse, had her personal profession however remained supportive, she mentioned. Jeff’s spouse, Bonnie, got here on board through the pandemic to assist. She modernized the previously handwritten, old school “by the e-book” system, bringing nearly all of the financials on-line. The in-house financing established by the patriarchs remained a continuing.

Competitors with big-box shops wasn’t actually a problem because the Laibstains mentioned they have been all the time extraordinarily consumer-centric.

“We tried to kill them with kindness,” David Laibstain mentioned. “And if they'd a service name, we might take them very very critically.”

Each buyer acquired a free present — or tchotchke as they favored to name it — with a purchase order.

Armed with their very own vans and in-house supply drivers, Virginia Furnishings Co. provided free supply and free setup — plus typically even same-day supply — establishing it as an anomaly in an ever-changing retail panorama.

“We additionally discovered very nice folks to work for us and we stored them ceaselessly,” David Laibstain mentioned of their truck drivers, warehouse and workplace employees.

Richard Miles labored alongside all 4 males for 40 years, till he, too, retired in 2017. The youthful Laibstains contemplate him their mentor.

David Laibstain recalled generations of the identical households coming to the shop over time.

Kerri Estrella of Virginia Seaside stays grateful to the Laibstains for serving to her get her footing when she relocated from New Jersey eight years in the past with simply mattresses for her kids and herself.

“I used to be capable of furnish our residence as a result of we didn’t have something and I’ve continued to return to them for each piece of furnishings,” Estrella mentioned. “I’m one in every of many Hampton Roads residents who is unhappy to see them go.”

Katherine Williams of Norfolk has been a buyer for 40 years and calls them the final of a breed.

“They have been really a good friend to the working man,” she mentioned.

Now with the ultimate days of the enterprise counting down, the Laibstains are getting ready for his or her retirement. David Laibstain started refinishing classic furnishings just a few years in the past and plans to proceed with that pastime. The cousins additionally plan to find time for different actions similar to journey, household, studying, and enjoying golf.