The Josephine County Historical Society is pleased to welcome Gates Home Furnishings as one of our business supporters.
George Gates Jr. established Gates Furniture in Grants Pass, Oregon in
1946. The original 5000 square foot store was located on the corner of
7th and H Street. In 1952, George’s wife Lois assumed the position of
store manager after George contracted polio, which left him a
quadriplegic confined to respiratory equipment.
With George acting as consultant and Lois physically running the operation, Gates Furniture quickly gained a trustworthy reputation within the community. With their focus on providing great furniture values and customer satisfaction, Gates Furniture became one of the Rogue Valley’s most popular furniture stores of the 50’s and 60’s.
In 1973, after graduating from college, George and Lois’s son Giff temporarily joined the firm. Law school had been the plan for Giff until he unexpectedly found himself loving the family business. Giff Gates assumed the manager position in 1977. 2012 starts Giff's 39th year in the family business, and he says he still enjoys what he does and what Gates Home Furnishings stands for in the community.
With George acting as consultant and Lois physically running the operation, Gates Furniture quickly gained a trustworthy reputation within the community. With their focus on providing great furniture values and customer satisfaction, Gates Furniture became one of the Rogue Valley’s most popular furniture stores of the 50’s and 60’s.
In 1973, after graduating from college, George and Lois’s son Giff temporarily joined the firm. Law school had been the plan for Giff until he unexpectedly found himself loving the family business. Giff Gates assumed the manager position in 1977. 2012 starts Giff's 39th year in the family business, and he says he still enjoys what he does and what Gates Home Furnishings stands for in the community.
Nick Gates, Giff's son, is the next generation of the Gates family to be in the family business, and his dad says, "To see my son Nick enter his third year in the business is very gratifying as his passion may even exceed mine."
Gates Furniture has gone through many changes over the years. It’s gone from 5,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet, expanded to larger buildings and it’s even changed its name to Gates Home Furnishings. What hasn’t changed in over 60 years is the stores commitment to its employees, its customers and its community.
If you'd like to learn more about Gates Home Furnishings, please visit their website at: www.gatesfurniture.com/
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