Herman’s Furniture and Design
About Herman’s
Expert Design, Exquisite Furniture
We’re so committed to great furniture and timeless design, that we built it right into in our name.
Uniquely-Tailored Design, Executed by a Truly Expert Design Team
The team at Herman’s Furniture and Design is dedicated to creating beautiful, personally-tailored interior design for our customers. Our professional designers truly listen to you, from grand vision to the smallest of accessory details.
Need inspiration or unsure of what you want? No problem. We’ll hold a consult with you, visit your home, listen to your likes and dislikes, and we’ll put a plan together to present to you!
Don’t just listen to us…
We sat down with Kip & Tina Bolon of Marblehead, Ohio, to talk about their design project.
“They always had a plan with every single room… and it was exactly what i wanted.”
Hit play and see what they have to say about Herman’s Furniture and Design.
Exquisitely Curated, American-Made Furniture and Accessories
At both our Sandusky and Avon locations, you will find a uniquely curated collection of what we like to call, “lifetime furniture” – quality, American-made pieces that are gorgeously designed and crafted to last a lifetime.
We offer furniture from makers like Bernhardt, Bassett, Norwalk, La-Z-Boy, Rowe, Braxton Culler, Vaughan-Bassett, Flexsteel, Kirkwood, Bradington-Young, and White Dove Mattress. Click through to learn more about our locations and collections.
A Deeply Rooted Herman’s History
1898
Herman’s Furniture has been a pillar in Sandusky for well over 100 years. In 1898, Jacob H. Herman, a Russian immigrant, opened his furniture store on the corner of Market and Wayne streets. Though Mr. Herman had only a seventh-grade education, he had a great mind for business. He offered area residents a full line of household items and always stayed up-to-date with the latest products.
1939
In 1939, Herman’s son, Ralph, joined him in the business, after returning to Sandusky from California where he attended the University of Southern California. Ralph soon assumed management of the furniture store and remained in this capacity until his father announced the closing of his store at the end of 1946.
1946
Ralph immediately made public his plans to open his own furniture store. His temporary location was on the ground level of the Feick Building on East Market Street. Ralph’s new location, an 18,000 square foot, art deco-style building on Cleveland Road, was to be completed in the spring of 1947.
1947
The grand opening of the new Herman’s Furniture store was held on May 15 through May 18, 1947. In discussing why he chose such a remote location for his new store, Ralph Herman stated that with the growth and expansion that Sandusky had experienced over the past several years, he believed the trend of business to be the type of ‘highway store’ he was starting (Sandusky Register, May 15, 1947). The store opened with rave reviews.
One reviewer stated: “Herman’s Furniture Store offers the best furniture to be had today. Every shopping convenience is provided as they have left nothing undone with plenty of parking space, and selection of their stock with a view to perfection in three innings, namely comfort, beauty, and durability.”
(Erie County Reporter, July 4, 1947)
1949
Ralph Herman found success in his furniture business; yet, his true interest was in the theatre. In 1949, when Lou Grad and Rudy Klemperer approached him about purchasing his business, Herman readily accepted their offer.
1950
Lou and Rudy both had extensive experience in the furniture business. The pair chose to retain the name, Herman’s Furniture, due to the long-standing history of the business. In the early 1950s, Lou and Rudy took an innovative approach and began offering their customers in-home design services. This service has remained a cornerstone of Herman’s Furniture to this day.
1953
Lou Grad died in 1953 and passed on his share of the business to his son, Robert. Rudy Klemperer passed away in 1963 and passed on his share to his daughters, Mitzi and JoAnn. The second generation of owners continued Lou and Rudy’s approach to customer service, including their emphasis on in-home design.
1997
In 1997, Joe Dandurand was hired to manage the store for the Grad and Klemperer families. Joe had completed his BA in interior design and business management at Kent State University, and had worked in the furniture industry since 1986. He accepted the position at Herman’s because of their reputation for stellar customer service, namely their design services.
2012
The business continued to grow and in 2012, Herman’s design studio debuted in Avon Lake, Ohio to serve customers in the Cleveland area. Herman’s Furniture continues to offer tailored design services in both the Sandusky and Avon stores.
Today
Through hard work and great customer service, Herman’s Furniture has remained a trustworthy source for quality home furnishings. Herman’s reputation has gained them customers not only in northern Ohio, but as far as Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, North Carolina, St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Naples, Florida.
How May We Direct You?
DESIGN YOUR HOME
Whether you’re designing a new house, your getaway destination, or restyling a room, our expert designers work with you to help you realize your dream vision.
FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES
Herman’s Furniture and Design has all of your favorite brands right here in our stores. Unsure how to start? We’ll come out to your home to help you accessorize!
MATTRESSES
Herman’s Furniture and Design proudly offers naturally-sourced, sustainable material mattress. They provide a healthy, sustainable, and ultra-comfortable sleep.