Shofer’s Furniture, a Landmark in Federal Hill for More Than a Century, to Close

Furniture World News Desk on 1/6/2021

Shofer’s Furniture, a landmark in Federal Hill for more than a century and one of Baltimore’s oldest stores, will close.

The popular store at 930 South Charles Street, billed as one of the largest independent retail furniture stores in Baltimore, opened for its going-out-ofbusiness sale. Daniel Webb of Smart Furniture Promotions, who is running the sale, said “we have marked down everything to liquidation prices across the 70,000-square-foot showroom.”

Shofer’s immigrant grandfather, Harry W. Shofer, started the business in 1914 as a neighborhood bicycle shop nearby. The store evolved and moved to its current spot in the early 1930s, taking over a former Hecht’s department store building. Herbert M. Shofer, the founder’s son, became president of the family-owned business in 1983. He died in 2015 at age 91. Hank Shofer took over from his father in 1996, but his three children were not interested in continuing the tradition. Thru two world wars, a depression, a civic downturn and resurgence, Shofer’s became an institution where Baltimore shopped and saved with complete satisfaction.

“I have had the distinct pleasure and privilege of serving so many wonderful customers in Baltimore and surrounding areas over the years.” Hank Shofer said in a release. “I am also thankful for the many dedicated people who have worked with me.”

Home furnishings stores to be among the hardest hit in the economic crisis spurred by the pandemic-related closures as consumers shift in greater numbers than expected to online shopping.

Robert Putt, of Smart Furniture Promotions, said the sale already is off to a strong start and he doesn’t expect it to last long.