Steve Young has operated the business for 31 years
By Michelle Kearns NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER


 Steve Young opened Amherst Wall Furniture in 1976 after he couldn’t find a good cabinet for his 19-inch TV. Now, 31 years later, his television is 42 inches wide, he has a custom cabinet in a white-wash finish to hold it, and he is closing the store that was a pioneer in furniture made to accommodate an ever- changing array of home electronics.

Before Young can retire to Fort Lauderdale this winter, he has given himself six months to hold a sale at Amherst Wall Furniture and sell his inventory of desks and bookcases and cabinets. That includes a CD “armoire” with a Formica-style pine wood pattern for $110 and a $6,000 wall-size oak shelf system, complete with space for a big TV, lighted display areas and a narrow door that pulls out to reveal hidden shelves for DVDs.

“Years ago, all we had to worry about were records,” said Young as he walked through the 10,000-square-foot space at 3339 Sheridan Drive. His stock includes shelving that can be assembled at home, desks with adjustable keyboard trays, cabinets made to fit in corners, and objets d’art: Glass vases, sculptures of women, cupids and birds, and wall hangings made of metal shaped into martini glasses with shiny green olives.

Another wall sculpture of brass musical notes on a wrought-iron-style G clef — 10 percent off $249 — is just like one Young has seen over the fireplace in the HBO series “The Sopranos.”

“Made me laugh the first time I saw it,” he said.

Highlights of his career include the time, years ago, when people from a Middle Eastern country came, pointed at things throughout the store and had their large order shipped overseas.

For a customer who used a wheelchair, the store supplied custom cabinets that were just the right height. The man and his wife were so happy after the installation that they each called the store in thanks.

“That was really quite special,” said Linda Reznick, a store manager who reminisced with Young one afternoon last week.

Young said he will miss working with customers, but he will not miss the seven-day-a-week schedule that comes with owning a retail store. Once he moves South, he looks forward to finding an adult history class to sign up for, having a vacation in Europe and taking a cruise or two.

“We’ve been doing this 31 years and it’s time,” he said of the closing. “I’m ready to go.”

mkearns@buffnews.com