HATBORO, Pa. — After 94 years and four generations, Gamburg’s Furniture here will close when owners Sidney and Joyce Gamburg retire.
Sidney and Joyce are the third-generation owners of Gamburg’s Furniture. Their three sons each worked in the business for a short time before following their own career paths. Sidney’s great-grandfather, Michael Gamburg, started the business in 1930 in a small store front between Moreland Ave. and the post office.
In 1946, Michael partnered with his two sons, Samuel and Louis, and son-in-law, Ed Leopold. Michael purchased a larger space on S. York Rd., expanding yet again two years later. In 1951, Sam and Lou took ownership after their father passed away. During the 1950s and ’70s, Gamburg’s added locations in Newtown and Lansdale, which later closed. Lou was a founding member of the Style Trend Furniture Group which was formed in 1952 by a group of prominent, family-owned furniture stores in the Philadelphia area.
Sidney, Lou’s son, joined the business in 1962 after graduating from college and serving two years in the U.S. Army. He became partner the following year. In that same year, Sam died in a tragic plane crash, leaving Lou and Sidney as the two remaining owners.
As the Gamburgs began liquidation events, they reflected on the nearly 100 years that four generations of the family had the honor of serving the communities of East Pennsylvania. They expressed gratitude to the many employees that helped build the store’s reputation, including Walter Beck Jr., who dedicated 45 years to Gamburg’s, and many others who worked there 15 to 25 years.
Throughout its history, Gamburg’s Furniture has supported many community projects and groups, such as the lamp posts on Main Street, trees on Old York Road and Little League. It’s also made contributions to many area schools and churches.
The going-out-of-business sale — handled by Planned Furniture Promotions — opens to the public Sept. 2, at 107 S. York Rd. in downtown Hatboro. The sell-off will offer discounted merchandise from brands including Craftmaster, Southern Motion, Flexsteel, Howard Miller, Nisley Amish, Best Chair, HomeStretch, Bassett, Rowe, American Drew, England, King Hickory, Legacy, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Temple, Hooker, Riverside and AspenHome.