Stollers History
So how did a humble market stall transform itself into one of the finest family-run furniture stores in the country?
QUEEN Victoria’s long reign was drawing to its close when a young Latvian immigrant alighted at Barrow Station, thinking he’d reached journey’s end in Whitehaven.
He had travelled almost a thousand miles, so the mistake was understandable. Anyway, Issiah Stoller liked what he saw and decided to stay, opening a market stall selling fabric, buttons and small household goods.
His modest business in Barrow’s market hall was doing well. So much so that in 1905 Issiah opened his first shop (on the site of the former Woodruffs store on Barrows’ main high street, Dalton Road). Now selling an even wider selection of goods, including haberdashery, pots, pans and even fresh fish! Isaiah’s’ business was thriving, fast becoming a household name in the area.
A further move to larger premises next door, allowed a gradual diversification into furniture, beds and floor coverings, however in the 1920s and 30s textiles were still the company’s biggest seller.
The store was to remain on that site for almost 90 years.
Issiah now had eight children, all of whom started their careers in the family firm. Two sons, Philip and Tony, in very different ways were to influence the company’s future prosperity. While Tony decided to start his own business - eventually moving to Bowness to become a well remembered and respected part of its business community - Phil stayed with his father in the family firm.
Issiah sadly passed away in 1944, leaving Phil to take over the business after returning from active service in the RAF during World War II.
Phil had the gift of a warm personality and genuine affection for people, as General Manager Neill Berry well remembers: “After leaving school, I was in two minds about going to University. My Dad knew Mr Stoller and asked if he had room for anyone. After 31 years I'm still here, so I think I made the right decision.”
Neill added: “Not that I'm the only one, some of our staff have been with us for over 36 years.”
Among the many loyal staff members two people in particular have had amazing careers with Stollers. Edith Wright joined the firm under Issiah and soon became indispensable. For 57 years she was a favourite with customers as nothing was too much trouble. Allan Gibbs isn’t far behind with 56 years service. Allan was the Millom store’s popular Manager throughout his long career.
During the golden years of the 1950s and 60s there was hardly a home in Barrow that didn't have a table, sofa or something-or-other from Stollers.
Fashions and fortunes change, and in the early 1970’s Barrow also changed. The shipyard now employed many thousands, attracting other retailers with some stiff competition. But two World Wars couldn't dampen spirits at Stollers, and the store responded. The Barrow shop expanded further; the Millom and Ulverston shops continued to do well.
David Stoller (Tony’s son) joined the family business, eventually becoming the natural successor to take over the firm as Managing Director.
After running the business for 40 years, Phil Stoller passed away in November 1989. Keeping the family-firm tradition going, David now took the reins and was to oversee the building of a fantastic new store to take Barrow’s oldest furniture shop into the 21st century.
A whole new era had arrived. David’s son Lee, at 15, followed the family tradition and joined the firm and is now the current Sales Director, Lee’s elder brother, Paul, chose a different career path and is now an accomplished professional golfer, recently taking the job of ‘Pro’at the local Ulverston golf course. David’s sister Rochelle also worked for many years as a member of their successful sales team.
In 1994 Stollers Furniture World superstore opened off Walney Road. No modern metal hanger this, but a custom-built, beautifully designed brick building, with enough space to allow artistic displays of some of the best furniture brands in the business.
Following a successful opening year, 1995 was something special: the store won the Nat-West Streamline Independent Retailer of the Year Excellence Award and was finalist in the prestigious U.K. Furniture Industry Awards ‘Retailer of the Year’.
In November 2004, Family elder Marcia Stoller, opened their massive new extension, taking the store to an amazing 110,000sq ft! making it one of the largest furniture stores in the U.K. The store now boasts a delivery service throughout all areas of the U.K. and beyond.
Managing Director David Stoller and his staff are delighted with the new building. David said: “As well as continuing to serve local people, we are now a true destination store. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal staff, past and present, for their fantastic commitment over the years and all our customers for their continued goodwill and support.”
Recent additions to the massive selections of home furnishings have come by the way of in-store concessions, ‘Searle Audio’ for high quality TV, hi-fi and Home Cinema, ‘In House carpets’ for an excellent range of carpets, laminates and rugs, ‘Mostyns’ curtains fabrics and blinds and our latest addition ‘The Fire Place’ for one of the largest selections of fires and fireplaces in the area.