BUFFALO, N.Y. — After 127 years in business, the owner of a Buffalo furniture store says it's time to retire.
F. Scherer & Sons Furniture on Genesee Street is closing, but not before the final sale, as it plans to sell all 24,000 square feet.
Jim Scherer, owner for the past 46 years.
“Since 1977, we've only had a Saturday off six times,” he said.
He is the fifth generation of his family in the company and is a man who has been through all the ups and downs.
“We've always been known for using real wood,” Scherer said while touring one of the three floors.
The Scherer name has been in downtown Buffalo since 1897, when Jim's great-grandfather opened a store across the street where the Catholic Health building now stands.
They moved to 104 Genesee in the 1930s.
“This building was built in 1883 for a company called Hartmeyer Furniture, which later became J.G. Seeger Furniture…This building was just a furniture store,” Scherer said. .
In the end, he said it was bittersweet.
“The business was doing pretty well, but my children weren't really interested in carrying on its future. They all had their own career fields, so it made sense for me to retire.” said Scherer.
Their iconic neon and porcelain sign is no longer lonely, with customers new and old coming in to reminisce and make purchases.
Paul Walkowski and his wife came from Hamburg on Monday to see the new rug.
“My parents came here in 1941 to buy a refrigerator because World War II started and Pearl Harbor was attacked,” Wojkowski said.
That was back when Scherer's still sold consumer electronics.
Furniture has been their focus since Jim Scherer took over, but there's still plenty of furniture to get rid of, from beds and bars to baths and chairs.
Scherer told 2 On Your Side that the 1880s building is a beautiful piece of history, but that was another factor in its closure.
“Well, some people say it's haunted,” Scherer said.
“We've maintained it pretty well, but right now we need a lot of money and the furniture doesn't bring in enough profit to get the building back to what it should be.”
Scherer said the building has a buyer, but he can't say exactly what will happen next.
He focuses on the love and letters he has received from him and his family in recent weeks.
“There were times when I got so emotional that I couldn't handle it anymore and had to leave the sales floor. I've made a lot of good friends over the years, and I'm really happy,” he said.
Memories that cannot be sold and gratitude that lasts for five lifetimes.
