Cozad’s long-time furniture store is closing its doors.

Boerkircher’s at 829 Meridian will stop selling furniture after almost 50 years. The floor-covering business, located around the corner at Ninth and H streets, will remain open.

“I am now 57 years old. The scope of private business in all of home furnishing and all of floor covering is more than I want,” said owner Brent Boerkircher. “We will narrow the scope to floor covering and do the very best job we can. We intend to close out the furniture portion of the business and we intend to maintain Boerkircher’s Carpet One as a viable, reliable floor-covering business.”

He and his wife, Mary, hope to create more time to spend at their ranch south of Maxwell. They also look forward to more quality time with their four children and, soon-to-be six, grandchildren.

The business began in 1960 when Boerkircher’s parents, Roger and Jan, purchased Cozad’s Gambles. Before that, Roger had worked at Gambles in Gothenburg.

Roger and Jan sold their home and a 1958 Chevy in order to raise cash and received help in financing from Paul Kniss, Roger’s former boss.

At that time, the store was at 732 Meridian. They moved it a block north into a new building in 1965. Shortly after that, they sold the Gambles franchise. They built an additional building in 1970.

“We’ve evolved over the years,” said Boerkircher, noting that his parents sold linoleum, carpet, televisions, electronics, appliances and furniture. Although it stills receive inquiries, Boerkircher’s hasn’t sold appliances since 1992.

Boerkircher bought the business from his parents in 1980. He had returned to Cozad to work with his parents following his graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business administration in 1973.

Boerkircher gave “a huge thank you to 48 years of wonderful, open and cheerful customers who we hope to maintain.” He also paid tribute to loyal employees, whom he said will be retained with a few changes.

The liquidation of inventory was announced April 1, and Boerkircher said he expects everything from mattresses and quilt stands to couches and china cupboards to sell within two months.

“People need to keep checking back,” Boerkircher said noting that there is merchandise in three warehouses that is not yet on display. “I’ve got enough merchandise to fill the floor 20 times,” he said.

While delivery is still available, people can save money if they haul items themselves.

Boerkircher is unsure about the fate of the building on Meridian but is open to leasing or selling it.

“It won’t sit empty,” Mary said. “That’s just not good for the community.”

Within the last year, the 65-by-130-foot concrete structure has been improved with a new roof, air-conditioning and floor coverings. “It is one of the best physical plants in Cozad,” said Boerkircher.

In a reflective moment Boerkircher said, “In the later stages of my life, and because of my wife particularly, I’ve become much more dedicated to the Lord. He is directing my life, and he will.”

Boerkirchers is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm and is filed under Furniture Store. Tags: China, electronics, Furniture, Furniture Store, Grand, Lincoln, Mary, Money, Nebraska, South, the University of Nebraska, . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.