Schmitt Furniture
One of the treasures of a family from generation to generation are the pieces of furniture that provide the context for growth and life ’ s moments . The wealth of memories contained in the living room couch , the dining room table , or the personal bedroom furniture are priceless . No one know the value of furniture to the family than the folks at Schmitt Furniture .
Schmitt Furniture has been a part of the Southern Indiana landscape since for nearly ninety years . On June 6 , 1936 Charles H . Schmitt and A . M . Heleringer announced the grand opening of Schmitt- Heleringer Furniture Company , Inc . at two locations in downtown New Albany . The original tag line was “ Trade with the Boys .”
Sixty-nine years later , the company had transitioned into Schmitt Furniture with the well-known business locater tag line “ On the furniture corner of State and Main ... Downtown New Albany .” Over time Schmitt ’ s purchased seven different buildings which now comprise the current Schmitt Furniture location at 101 East Main Street .
Charles H . Schmitt , who passed away in December of 1959 and a World War I veteran , was said to have cried when he was released from military duty , exemplifying Charles ’ strong willingness to serve . After World War I , Charles went back to New Albany to work the Schmitt family farm in Galena . In 1930 Charles was hired by Liggett & Meyer ’ s and moved to St . Louis . In 1935 L & M offered Charles two promotion options , New York City or the Orient . After long discussion with his family , Charles decided to
Third-generation store president , Louis Schmitt stands in one of the remodeled showrooms .
return to Southern Indiana rather than raising his family in a far away locale .
Although Charles H . Schmitt was the Schmitt Furniture founder , his first born son , Charles H . Schmitt , Jr . became the driving force behind Schmitt Furniture ’ s dramatic growth . Charles , Jr . joined the Schmitt family business immediately upon graduation from New Albany High School . His only absence from the store was during the Korean War , when Charles , Jr . served his nation in active duty . Despite installing high expectations for Schmitt Furniture business practices , Charles , Jr . and Schmitt Furniture became known throughout the local area as a retailer with a heart . Over the years there have been many examples of Schmitt Furniture taking care of customers who needed help due to unforeseen personal difficulties .
Charles , Jr . passed away in 1997 . It was at that point that his youngest brother , J . Robert “ Bob ” Schmitt became the CEO of Schmitt Furniture . Bob graduated from Notre Dame and served in the U . S . Army from 1955 to 1957 . In 2002 , Bob stepped away from day to day management of the store . It was then that Louis Schmitt , Bob ’ s son , took over management of the business . Schmitt Furniture is very proud of three Schmitt generations managing Schmitt Furniture as well as the four generations that have contributed to its success .
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