Since 1940, the John V. Schultz Furniture Co. has been a permanent fixture in Erie. For three generations, the company has established itself as the major furniture retailer within a 70-mile radius of its headquarters.
The company has two stores and a major warehouse in Erie. One outlet is located in the upscale Summit Towne Center, with more than 65,000 square feet of showroom space. The second store, the Furniture and Mattress Outlet, located in Erie, is a 35,000-square-foot showroom featuring furniture in the mid- to lower-level price range. The company employs 90 people.
The John V. Schultz Co. was founded in 1940 by John and Audrey Schultz. John Sr. died in 1962, and Audrey assumed the presidency. John Jr. joined the company in 1968, and under his leadership, it opened a second location, and in 1995 expanded its warehouse capacity.
In the mid 1990s, the transition of leadership to the sons began with Matthew and John III taking management positions; John III became president and Matthew became treasurer. In 2001, the company moved to its present location in the Summit Towne Center.
For 2004, the company is planning a major expansion, with an additional warehouse and showroom serving the Buffalo, N.Y., market. They are scheduled to open in mid-2004.
