Type Subsidiary Products Furniture Founded 1912 | Industry Retail Website www.starfurniture.com Parent organization Berkshire Hathaway | |
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Headquarters Houston, Texas, United States | ||
Star Furniture, is an American home furnishing store headquartered in Texas that sells furniture, rugs, mattresses, draperies and accessories. Star Furniture is the oldest operating furniture store in Texas and celebrated its 100th year in business in 2012. Star Furniture is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.
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History
Star was founded in 1912 by three men who pooled their resources to buy a horse and buggy to deliver furniture in Houston, Texas.
Russian immigrant Boris Wolff bought a ¼ interest in the store in 1924, and by 1950, Star had six stores. Boris passed the company on to his two children Melvyn Wolff and Shirley Wolff Toomim. Melvyn Wolff became president of the company in 1962 and in 1997, the Wolff’s decided to sell the company to aid its growth. Melvyn Wolff retired, and Warren Buffett purchased the company, which is now a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary. Wolff remains Chairman of the Board and Shirley Toomim is Vice Chairman.
In 2014 Star Furniture is a family-run business which has nine stores – six in Houston and one each in San Antonio, Austin and Bryan; as well as two clearance stores located in Houston.
Some of the brand names Star carries are Natuzzi, Thomasville, Kincaid, Bernhardt, Hooker and Serta.<
Community involvement
Star Furniture has instituted the Red Apple Award, which provides a prize of classroom furniture to an outstanding teacher each year. The company also participates in the Season For Caring program and Habitat for Humanity.