Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023. It seems to me to be an appropriate time to take this opportunity to thank you, Furniture World’s readers, for your support and to compliment you for making it through another busy, interesting year. I hope that going forward, when viewed through the lens of commerce, 2023 will surprise us with manageable challenges and plentiful opportunities.
It occurs to me that those of you who were acquainted with Barton Bienenstock, Furniture World’s long-time publisher, might want to know that he recently passed away at 92.
He presided over a distinguished 150-year legacy of providing news and information to the home furnishings industry pioneered by previous Furniture World publishers (since 1870) John Towse, Mrs. G. H. Langworthy and N.I. (Sandy) Bienenstock.
Along the way Barton enjoyed creating enduring friendships while visiting furniture factories and attending hundreds of shows including those in High Point, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Toronto, Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, Tupelo, Edison, Quebec City, Hickory, Shipshewana, Millersburg, Atlantic City, Grand Rapids, New York City, Jamestown, NY.
He joined Furniture World in 1956 after attending NC State’s furniture manufacturing and management course and serving in the US Coast guard.
A long-time member of the American Furniture Hall of Fame (now the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation), Barton served as its President and was recognized with numerous awards from industry and charitable organizations over his long career.
In the furniture business, he will be remembered for being a steadfast friend, a talented salesman and for the antique 60-foot Trumpy cruiser he and his wife Barbara lived on for more than 35 years.
Here at Furniture World, we are grateful for the humanity and loyalty he embodied in his everyday interactions with associates, employees and family members. He will be missed.
