In a time when the economy has forced many businesses to close their doors, Skaff Furniture and Carpet is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
"I'm not sure I fully comprehend it. That's a long time. It's unbelievable," company president Dick Skaff said.
George Skaff founded the company in 1911. He eventually set up shop inside the Capitol Theater building before moving further down Harrison Street in Flint. Since 1980, the business has operated out of Mundy Township near Hill Road and M-23.
"My grandfather came over here from Lebanon. He was 14 years old, made his way to Ellis Island and then came to Flint, Michigan. He started selling rugs in downtown Flint off of a cart," Skaff said.
Cousins Dick and Mike Skaff are the third generation of Skaffs in the family business. They've thrived in the good times and survived the bad. "One store to five stores to seven stores, and then we had to shrink back down with Genesee County," company vice president Mike Skaff said.
A study conducted by Hope College shows that Skaff is in a very elite and fortunate class.
"There are about 300 companies across the country that over 100 years old and they have a lot in common. Many of them are still family-owned businesses, which seems to be the secret," company vice president David Smith said.
To celebrate its centennial, Skaff is giving away $10,000 worth of carpet and furniture. A portion of January's sales will be donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.
It's the Skaff family's way of saying "thank you." "Our customers become like family. We see them again and again. We had a customer last week who said she remembers buying from us on Harrison Street 70 years ago," Dick said.
Most of the Skaffs currently involved in the family business have had carpet and furniture on the brain since they were little kids. They're already gently grooming the fourth generation of Skaffs in hopes of keeping the business going for years to come.
"We talk a little business at the kitchen table, too. We're just warming them up, and we'll see how that works," Mike said.
