From its humble origins as a waterbed store, Bob’s Discount Furniture has grown to 43 stores with the recent opening of a Rockville, Md., location. It is part of the retailer’s growth mode that now finds it in nine states along the East Coast from Maine to Virginia.
In the past 20 months, seven Bob’s Discount Furniture stores have opened, including three in New York City and one in Poughkeepsie. Bob’s Discount Furniture co-founder Bob Kaufman and his chain is known for “high quality for the lowest cost for everything we sell. There’s value and there’s cheap,” he said during a recent phone interview to talk about the chain’s growth.
But what most people might not associate the retailer with is an intense focus on employee benefits. “We try to make it the best job people ever had,” Kaufman said. Chief among the benefits is full Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance.
Kaufman also tries to keep his employees onboard by helping them in tight financial times. Employees with one year’s service can get a week’s advance in pay that they then pay back over 10 weeks through payroll deductions. “It’s an interest-free loan,” he said, that is provided no questions asked. “There’s not many times in life you get an interest-free loan,” he said, adding that 85 percent of his workers have taken advantage of the program.
The retailer also offers “Bob’s Helping Hand,” a grant program for employees faced with a financial challenge because of a life-altering event (like a fire). Employees can request up to $1,500 that is given after a review process. The money doesn’t have to be paid back.
Kaufman also offers the traditional two weeks paid vacation. After five years that becomes three weeks and then four weeks after 10 years. In addition, there are four personal days, including the employee’s birthday. “I hate working on my birthday. It should be a holiday,” Kaufman said in a voice that sounds nothing like his ubiquitous TV and radio commercials.
His approach is that of a small store owner and not somebody involved with the 15th largest furniture retailer in the country. “I think like an old retailer,” said Kaufman, who has worked in retail his entire adult life. “The biggest compliment I get is when employees say it’s like working at a family business.”
Bob’s Stores honored as Retailer of the Year
Bob’s Stores (not to be confused with Bob’s Discount Furniture) has been named 2011 Retailer of the Year by the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association. The award is determined by a peer nomination and review process. Members of the association’s board review the nominations and conduct onsite interviews with the nominees, and then vote to determine the winner.
“We are honored to be named the CRMA’s 2011 Retailer of the Year,” said Bob’s Stores CEO Mark Walsh. “Bob’s Stores is proud to have played an active role in the vibrant economy of this state and its various communities for over 57 years. We consider our customers and 1,000 Connecticut associates part of one big family and will never tire of delivering on our promise of a rewarding experience for both.”
The award was presented Nov 16 at the CRMA’s annual awards luncheon.
Bob’s Stores is a value-oriented retailer of name-branded casual clothing and footwear for the entire family with 35 store locations in the Northeastern U.S. Last year’s winner was CT Lighting Center.
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Holiday stroll Dec. 1
Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center are joining together once again to present the Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The highlight of the event is free, horse-drawn carriage rides at both locations. There will also be special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as children’s cartoon characters. Special family activities include interactive crafts and face painting as well as musical performances by local school groups.
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Two open at Westfarms
The first Urban Outfitters store in the Greater Hartford area has opened at Westfarms Mall. The retailer has hired 75 employees to run its 11,000 square foot store located on the lower level near Nordstrom. From men’s and women’s apparel and accessories to items for the apartment, Urban Outfitters offers a lifestyle-specific shopping experience for young adults. Urban Outfitters also has stores in New Haven and Greenwich.
Carlo Pazolini, an international, attainable luxury footwear brand that has recently expanded to the U.S. market, has also opened at the mall. Westfarms is its first location in Connecticut.
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Latin restaurant debuts
Casona Restaurant, 618 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 15 with a VIP evening reception for 200 of its loyal followers, community leaders’ and neighborhood business associations. The new owners of the Latin influenced restaurant are Fabio and Amparo Caro, who ran La Casona from 2003 to 2009 in the same space. The restaurant will be open for business serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays.
