By DAN HEATH
PLATTSBURGH — This marks the 75th anniversary of McFadden Furniture, which has been in downtown Plattsburgh for most of that time.
The store, located at 64 Bridge St., offers new and used furniture and bedding. Owner Tom McFadden said the main furniture line is Flexsteel.
“They offer a large, well-respected line of upholstered furniture in a broad choice of styles and fabrics,” McFadden said. “I’ve been with them close to 30 years.”
He said he acquires most of his used furniture from auctions, specifically those held by Steve Brodi of Bridge Street Auctions. That company used to be located right next door, which made it very easy to get the furniture to the store, McFadden said.
“I try to be very fussy about what I purchase. We offer upscale, clean second-hand furniture and bedding,” he said.
McFadden said he and his wife, Susan, are looking to increase their used furniture selections.
“We may travel to some other auctions. It would be a chance to combine business with a little bit of relaxation,” he said.
McFadden said the company has had numerous locations during its lengthy history.
It started out as Byrnes and Ames, which was located on Marion Street, across the street from the Clinton County Government Center parking lot in 1932. McFadden said his maternal grandfather, Howard Ames, apparently split from Mr. Byrnes and opened Ames Furniture in the present Plattsburgh Motor Service building.
The company later moved to the corner of Marion Street and Protection Avenue.
“My father, Jack McFadden, took over when he (Ames) died in the late 1930s,” McFadden said. “I was not in the business yet.”
It continued as Ames Furniture Company until the late 1980s, when the name was changed to McFadden Furniture.
In 1959, the company moved into a building owned by Champlain Valley Federal Savings and Loan on Oak Street behind St. John’s Church.
“I entered the business in 1965, fresh out of Holy Cross,” he said.
The McFaddens rented from the bank until 1983, when Champlain Valley decided it needed the extra room.
