The Berkowitz Story
A Furniture Family since 1896
A New Beginning
Samuel Berkowitz established a cabinetmaking business in Petticoat Lane, London.
Sailed to Australia in 1912 to explore a new frontier and new opportunities.
The Next Generation
Izzy, Wolfe & Barney Berkowitz (Sons of Samuel)
The next Generation – three brothers who continued the furniture manufacturing business.While still manufacturing they also transitioned into retail culminating with the opening of Berkowitz Fine Furniture in Collins Street, Melbourne.
Berkowitz in Melbourne
Lionel Berkowitz (son of Wolfe)
The birth of Scott Berkowitz stores. First store opened at 264 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
Following Footsteps
Peter Berkowitz (son of Lionel)
The 4th Generation joined the business. Rebranded the business as Berkowitz Furniture and continues to follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather with a passion in providing high quality, great value furniture with outstanding customer service.
The Berkowitz Furniture
History
The Berkowitz Furniture story started over 120 years ago in England, when our founder, Samuel Berkowitz, started a small cabinetmaking business in Petticoat Lane, in the East End of London.
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Samuel migrated to Australia in 1912, seeking a warmer alternative to the cold British climate he had grown up in. He set up shop right here in Melbourne, opening a small furniture factory in Prahran manufacturing fine bedroom and dining furniture. Samuel, was joined in the business by his three sons, who grew the business from a small traditional furniture maker to a large manufacturing operation. It was from this factory in Malvern Road that they started selling directly to the public. |
In 1949 the three sons opened the first Berkowitz Fine Furniture store in Collins Street in central Melbourne, adding retail to their existing manufacturing business. In 1962, Lionel Berkowitz, Samuel’s grandson opened a second city store in Little Collins Street. |
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By 1970 the first highway store opened in Nunawading in Melbourne’s East and expanded from here to other Highway stores. The Fourth generation of the Berkowitz family joined the business in 1988, when Lionel’s son Peter took over the reins. |
Since then we have grown considerably, but still maintain a passion for high quality, great value and above all, outstanding customer service, with ingrained values of our founder Samuel Berkowitz. Today a fifth generation joins the family business, with Samuel’s great-great grandson Justin beginning on his journey with Berkowitz Furniture. |
