File:Potomac Furniture, 310 West Potomac Street.jpg

Summary

Business 1960 to Present

On back of photo: Potomac Furniture, 310 West Potomac Street

See "100 Years of Memories" page 128

For Brunswick: 100 Years of Memories (1990) POTOMAC FURNITURE COMPANY AND BUILDING The former Potomac Furniture Company building at 310 West Potomac Street was built by Abe Kaplon, of Harpers Ferry, a brother to Vic Kaplon, a Brunswick businessman. Cement blocks used in the structure were made on the site. Cement was mixed, then poured into wooden forms. When sufficiently hardened, the blocks were removed, then carried to the building nearby. Lazarus’ grocery store was the first business to locate there. A furniture store was the next enterprise, opening its doors in 1913 under Theodore Siehler, who owned it until his death in 1981, when his daughter, Joann Siehler Durst, inherited the business. For 71 years the people in Brunswick could purchase high quality, brand-name furniture at their local store, one of a chain of eight. At first, a Mr. Ford was manager. He was succeeded by George Bennett, who, for many years, managed the flourishing business. Mrs. Madge Rittenour Cox became bookkeeper,retiring in 1968 when Mrs. Theresa Sheppard succeeded her. In 1972, George Bennett retired, and William “Pete” Frye became manager until his death in 1982, a year after Siehler’s death. Joann Siehler Durst secured the services of Mrs. Sheppard as overseer forthe Dursts, who lived in Potomac, Md. Once booming with customers from Virginia and • West Virginia, as well as the local area, Potomac Furniture later could not compete with the great array of merchandise available in nearby cities. Its doors finally closed in 1984. Polan Katz from Baltimore, had operated an umbrella factory on the second floor when Siehler opened his furniture business, and employed about 40 people. Thomas Sigler, Jr., bought the furniture store property from the Dursts in 1987 and eight attractive apartments now exist on the second and third floors. The first floor commercial rental is used by William Sauser, lawyer. S - Clara Crowl Bohrer - Theresa Thompson Sheppard