For decades in Southern California the name Munro was well known as a home furnishing store. Starting in 1965, Munro Furniture became a popular string of stores in the area.
For decades in Southern California the name Munro was well known as a home furnishing store. Starting in 1965, Munro Furniture became a popular string of stores in the area.
But by 2007, the economy and the retirement of its founders saw the last store closing. But for their sons, Kent, Gregg and Cory Munro, the furniture business was all they had known. Even as children, they were given work to do in the business, vacuuming, dusting, moving furniture, or whatever else was needed.
The three brothers weren’t allowed to sit at home and watch cartoons, Kent explains. But it instilled in them, not only a strong work ethic, but a true love and understanding of the business.
“We just grew up in the business,” Kent said.
So the three brothers decided to reopen one of the original stores in Long Beach, though Cory would eventually move on to other things. Kent and Gregg remained and nearly four years later, their new venture House to Home Furniture is starting to gain the recognition that their family name once held in the industry.
But staying in business in a down economy is no easy task, particularly in a field like furniture which people can often put off buying when other more pressing needs are at the forefront. And when a family does need furniture, they are more likely to buy one piece a time, just what is needed, rather than entire sets, or rooms.
So the Kent and Gregg set their minds to figuring out how they could provide their products, while not foundering under the pressure of potentially slow sales. They went to the manufacturers they felt delivered the best products and worked with them. Their reputation helped them, as did the fact that builders wanted to keep their products on display as much as possible.
“We wanted something different, we wanted to be different,” Kent said.
They stuck with many of the Amish builders because Kent said they build some of the highest quality and longest lasting furniture. Later they would add some European manufacturers, including a Norwegian company that makes specialized recliners that Kent described as “not inexpensive” but that can last decades even under heavy use. They added in some mass produced, more affordable lines, looking for the most reliable lines they could find. Their idea was to be able to find a way to provide what people needed, for the money they could afford.
“We’re very sensitive to that, I think we’re very sensitive to people’s means,” Kent said.
Today, House to Home has a second location in Santa Ana. It was opened originally as a clearance store to sell off the last of discontinued items. But they are nearly out of their excess stock and Kent expects that store to be converted to a mirror image of the Long Beach location soon.
Through tough times, House to Home and the Munro family have endured and are hoping to see their stores and their clients flourish in coming years. Munro also said that success of the business helps those families who depend on them. At its height, Munro employed about 65 people. Kent said having to lay off employees was one of the most gut-wrenching things about a business. Currently, House to Home employs about 10 people, not counting family members. That is something that is important to the Munro’s.
They close on major holidays, despite the growing trend of retailers who no longer do. Kent said it was a part of business that they learned from their father. That they should work hard, but that everyone needed time to spend with their families. As children, they might not have appreciated having to grow up in the family business. But they grew to love it and are seeing their efforts return in a good way.
“The fun is coming back,” Kent said.
House to Home is at 2198 Lakewood Blvd. in Long Beach. They can be reached at 562-597-3225 or online at www.house-to-home-furniture.com.
