The fourth-generation owned Bolotin Furniture here, in business for 107 years, began a closing sale Thursday and the owner said he has decided to concentrate on his online eBay store.
Liquidator and consultant Deere Park Associates is assisting with the sale at the 26,000-square-foot showroom and attached 10,000-square-foot warehouse. Focus Media is directing the marketing.
"My decision to close the store was a very difficult one," President Mark Bolotin said in a release. "Bolotin Furniture has been part of the Shenango Valley for over 100 years and we've made many friends over that time. I want to express our sincere appreciation to all our clients for their continuing support."
Among the suppliers to the midpriced to upper-end store are Drexel Heritage, American Leather, Hammary, La-Boy, Bassett and Magnussen Home.
Liquidations such as this usually run eight to 12 weeks and the sale is expected to generate $3 million to $4 million, according to Focus Media Director Jim Bullock. A private sale for preferred customers began Thursday and will run through Aug. 19.
Bolotin, 67, said the decision to close was a purely personal one and was not driven by financial factors. He said the store has been performing well this year, despite its location in a tough steel producing market. Since 2006, he has been growing an eBay store on the side, selling primarily drop-ship furniture and related items (Bolotin now plans to concentrate his efforts on building that successful business, which he said did $800,000 in sales last year with just Bolotin and one part-time person on staff.
He said he has essentially been working two-full time jobs for the past seven years, and that by focusing on just the online business, he'll be able to travel more with his wife and spend more time with his grandchildren.
