Jerome's Furniture Warehouse is a family-owned chain of discount furniture stores in Southern California, with its headquarters in San Diego, California.[1] The company's key owner and figurehead is Jerome "Jerry" Navarra.[2]

Jerome's Furniture Warehouse
Founded1954; 70 years ago (1954) in San Diego, California, USA
FounderJim Navarra
Number of locations
25 Locations, 1 Corporate Office, 1 Distribution Center, 7 Clearance Centers
Area served
San Diego and Los Angeles, California
Key people
Jerome "Jerry" Navarra, Chairman, Brian Woods President & CEO
ProductsFurniture and Mattresses
ServicesSame Day Delivery, eCommerce
RevenueApproximately $250 Million
OwnerFamily Owned
Number of employees
611
Websitewww.jeromes.com

History

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In 1954, Jim Navarra and his two partners started a furniture store named Strep's Warehouse. In 1960 Jim Navarra became the sole owner, and in 1968 he renamed the store Jerome's Furniture Warehouse after his son Jerome. Reluctant to sell furniture for a living, Jerome "Jerry" Navarra originally thought he might attend medical school. However, in 1970 after finishing a business degree at San Diego State University, he spent six months helping out at the store. Having enjoyed the experience, Jerry Navarra decided to stay, with the store eventually becoming his responsibility[when?].[3] [4]

Between 1980 and 1990, four branches were added in the San Diego Metro Area: San Marcos, Chula Vista, El Cajon, and Scripps Ranch. The original downtown store was moved in 2000 to West Morena Boulevard.[4] Between 2009 and 2013 four more locations were added, which opened up the Los Angeles market.[5] By 2015 Jerome's had a total of 11 stores and a turnover of over $147 million, and had attained a top-fifty furniture retail ranking.[6] Its strategies include selling its goods for a standard competitive price without periods of discounting, and offering free design services.[7]

Jerry Navarra has been both the namesake and the face of Jerome's Furniture since 1973 when he first appeared in a Jerome's TV ad. By 2012 he had appeared in more than 4,000 commercials, and now includes his family, the third generation of Navarras to join the family business.[3] In 2008, Jerome's won the Western Home Furnishings Association's (WHFA) annual Retailer of the Year Award.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Jerome's set to open 14th full-line store". Furniture Today. November 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "Jerome's Furniture adds floor planner tool to website". HFN Digital. May 17, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "UT San Diego". UTSanDiego.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Jerome's Furniture History". Jeromes.com/en/about_history. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Presidio Sentinel". Presidiosentinel.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  6. ^ "Furniture/Today to honor five 'Family Dynasties'". 18 August 2015.
  7. ^ "About Jerome's Furniture". Jeromes.com.
  8. ^ "Furniture World". Furninfo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
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