Hurwitz Mintz Furniture, a family-owned retailer in New Orleans, is closing its doors after more than 100 years in business. The store has entered liquidation and is now advertising discounts of up to 70% off items.
Century-old store launches liquidation sale
The 1751 Airline Drive store has been owned by three generations of the family and has served generations of customers. It was rebuilt after being destroyed following Hurricane Katrina. Furniture, household items, mattresses and accessories are all discounted.
A final closing date has not yet been announced. A company manager told WWL-TV that the store will remain open until its remaining inventory is sold.
Company thanks community and staff
The company expressed gratitude to the New Orleans community, its employees and generations of customers in a statement. A message on its website reads: "Closed Monday. Open today for pick-ups only at rear entrance. The store will re-open Tuesday at 10am. Our store will be closed so that we may clear the sales floor of sold merchandise and pull more from our warehouse for you to shop. We apologise for the inconvenience."
History and recent challenges
Hurwitz Mintz was founded in 1923 and became a longtime presence on Royal Street in the French Quarter before expanding into suburban Metairie. It is the largest furniture store in the Greater New Orleans area.
Both stores were impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and reopened the following year. The closure also follows the death of Mitchell Lloyd Mintz, the third-generation family member who led the business. He was identified as owner and CEO in 2006 after his father Ellis Mintz retired. The death has not been publicly linked to the company's decision to close.
