PORT ANGELES — Angeles Furniture will celebrate its 100th anniversary Saturday.
The Port Angeles business at 1114 E. First St. will mark the centennial by offering specials and free hot dogs, cake and refreshments to its customers beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our customers,” co-owner Jack Gray said Thursday.
Angeles Furniture was founded by Harvey Gray and Howard Breen in 1919 in downtown Port Angeles.
The store moved to its uptown location in 1962 when the original building was sold to McLean’s Shoes, said Jack Gray, Harvey’s grandson.
Jack and Patti Gray became third-generation owners of the store in 1986 and “pledged to continue a tradition of excellence,” according to the store’s website, www.angeles furniture.com.
“Over the past 100 years, our company has enjoyed playing an important part in the lives of families on the Olympic Peninsula,” the owners said.
“Though we operate out of Port Angeles, our customers come from Neah Bay, Forks, Sequim, Port Hadlock, Clallam Bay, Port Townsend, Sekiu, Brinnon, Port Ludlow. Even with such a broad consumer base, Angeles Furniture prides itself on being able to call on customers by name and deliver friendly and professional service.”
In a Thursday interview, Jack Gray said Angeles Furniture has striven to take care of its customers.
“You can buy furniture anywhere,” Jack Gray said. “But can you make it a good experience, and can you exceed customers’ expectations so that hopefully the next time they think of furniture they think of you?”
Changes in the automobile industry have led to a greater demand for leather upholstery, Gray said.
“When I started in 1971, I don’t think we had any leather,” he said.
Today, about 60 percent of the chairs, sofas and love seats sold at Angeles Furniture have leather upholstery, Gray said.
“The quality of the furniture has changed, too,” he added.
“It’s gotten a lot nicer.”
The current owners of Angeles Furniture “believe that civic consciousness is an integral part of maintaining a good reputation within the community,” according to the company website.
“We support the local Clallam County YMCA, the Soroptimists, Olympic Memorial Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees, the Nor’Wester Rotarian Organization.
“We have also donated to the Boy Scouts of America, the Port Angeles High School Senior Class, and Port Angeles Little League. This is just to name a few.
“Angeles Furniture continues to be a full-service store carrying complete lines of bedding, bedroom furniture, formal dining, dinettes, sofas, love seats, chairs, and occasional tables.
“Whether you want to browse, purchase or obtain information, we at Angeles Furniture are proud of our personable service.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@ peninsuladailynews.com.
The original Angeles Furniture Store opened in 1919 in downtown Port Angeles.