Designer's Showroom to Close

February 14, 2014  by in Industry, Retail Closing   

The stores, located in Brownsville, Texas, and McAllen, Texas, will kick off store-closing sales today.

Julie Edelstein-Best, third generation owner of the Designer's Showroom, is retiring. The sale is being managed by Planned Furniture Promotions.

“Facing her retirement, Julie had concerns about maintaining the Edelstein family’s good name in Brownsville and the surrounding communities during the closing,” said Tom Liddell, senior vice president, Planned Furniture Promotions. “We are pleased and proud to help her and the stores achieve this goal, while supporting Julie through this transition to her next phase of life.”

Edelstein’s Better Furniture was founded in 1906 by Morris Edelstein. Eager to start a business, he went direct to the community, peddling a variety of wares door-to-door in the community. He became the first merchant in the area to offer “time payment plans” on a variety of merchandise, including buggies, Studebaker wagons and furniture. Operations steadily increased and, in 1925, Edelstein opened branch stores in Harlingen, Texas, and McAllen, Texas. Within five years, he operated 13 retail stores that spanned from Eagle Pass to Brownsville, including stores in Matamoros, Mexico, and Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Morris’ son, Ruben, now retired, took over the reins of the family business in 1946 along with brother, Ben, who passed away in 2009. Together, they operated the chain of Edelstein's stores for more than 60 years.

In February of 2008, the Edelstein family sold its 12 Edelstein's stores but retained their two high-end Designer's Showroom stores and their association with Cactus Flower Gifts & Interiors on South Padre Island, Texas.