History

In 1901 AI, Joe and Harry started a family legacy in the furniture business that continues today. They started Brody's Bros. at 1244 Girard Ave. in Philadelphia, PA. Harry was, at the time, between Brazil and Argentina and was sending money back to the states for his brothers to start a business with all three of them becoming partners. Harry , as the story goes, was a cowboy (gaucho) and doing very well financially. After his gaucho days, Harry became a trader running a mule train between Buenos Aires ,Argentina and Brazil. Within a couple of years Harry returned to Philadelphia to be with his brothers. Soon AI, Joe and Harry opened a bedding store in Moorestown and delivered their mattresses on top of the car to customers. Then onto Woodbury to open a Furniture and bedding store.

Around 1930, Harry and Ann, our founders, planted their roots in our community of Vineland. It was just after the Depression had hit the country in 1929 and no easy time to be starting a business. But the family pulled together and worked hard and Brody's began to grow. Harry and Ann first opened on Landis Ave. between 6th and 7th streets in the Mattoli Building owned by Clarence Mattoli, then moved to a larger showroom on the top floor of the Baker House Hotel still on Landis Ave. between 6th and 7th streets. During this time we had a Custom Upholstery Factory on Wood Street with Olde World craftsmen from Europe making custom frames, that still survive today in many of our customer's homes. This factory eventually closed because the European craftsmen that were needed for the fine details of tufting, hand springing and the likes were no longer available.

Next we moved along side of the Vineland National Bank of Landis Ave. between 6th street and the Blvd. After several years, Harry made his final move to the Moose Building at 523 Landis Ave. alongside the Grand Theatre. About 1946 Sid, the eldest of six children, was just returning from the service with his new bride Lois and had taken over the company from Harry. About one year later, Sam and Bernie also returned from the service to become part of the business. Meyer, Clarene and Selma were still too young, however everyone at one time or the other worked in the business. After a few years Bernie and Ruth moved to Kansas City and Bernie eventually became Vice President of Sealy Mattress Company, still keeping family tradition of Home Furnishings.

The business began to expand in the early 50's, satellite stores opened in Franklinville, Toms River and Wildwood. In 1954 Sid and Sam made a decision to consolidate operations to one location on Delsea Drive. A bold move at the time as Landis Ave. was a thriving Avenue downtown. However, Sid had a vision of what was to come, growth on Delsea Drive. When we moved onto Delsea Drive the only businesses were across the street, a diner and down the block, The White Sparrow Inn. The new store opened in 1956 and it was a success. In 1958 our founder died, but he was able to see and enjoy the new store. Mel and Susan, Sid's son and daughter-in-Iaw returned from school in 1968 to work under Sid and Sam. Mel stayed for 10 years and then left to open a flooring store and to work as a rep in the furniture industry in DC, Virginia and Maryland.