While the big box stores are stocking the same old furniture styles that everyone else carries, at Van Gorders’ we’re sourcing unique, handcrafted rustic pieces by skilled local artisans.
Visit any of our three spacious showrooms to find furniture that features gorgeous natural materials like wood and river rocks complemented by fine metal accents.
This gorgeous Enrico Bartolini coffee table, for example, is crafted right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania from spalted maple and petrified wood from Madagascar.
Hand-signed by the artist.
It sits atop burnished metal legs, and is stamped and hand-signed.
Our Flagship Showroom in Honesdale, PA. The building turns 150 years old in 2018!
Eighty-two years ago, Van Gorders’ Furniture began business as the Honesdale Furniture Exchange in the massive four-story building that still houses its flagship showroom. Today, that historic structure has entered its 150th year of service to Honesdale and the surrounding region.
Originally the National Hotel, the building still stands at the corner of Church and Sixth Streets. As reported by Gloria McCullough (Wayne County Historical Society) in the Wayne Independent, the large brick structure was originally erected in 1868 by William Weaver.
Fine Construction
“The building was one of the largest single buildings constructed in Honesdale in the time period,” McCullough wrote. “An opera house with a large stage and two dressing rooms on either side occupied the second floor. The property included a brick barn that could accommodate 110 horses.”
Today, the former hotel is filled with the finest American-made rustic and classic home furnishings, as well as flooring products and Sealy Posturepedic and Stearns & Foster mattresses.
From providing lodging to becoming the premiere showcase for top quality home furnishings, the former National Hotel — Van Gorders’ flagship showroom — is still making history.
Enter to Win
To celebrate the building’s 150th Anniversary, Van Gorders’ Furniture will award a gift certificate valued at $150 to a lucky winner to be chosen at random through a contest hosted on our Facebook page.
Earn a chance to win by simply “liking” or commenting on our Friday, March 23rd post. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 28th. Deadline to enter is midnight on Tuesday, March 27th.
Stop by for a Power Browse
We invite you to stop by our Honesdale showroom for a look at the living history of the building that has served our region for 150 years.
You’ll always be assisted by friendly, caring and knowledgeable staff—some of whom have remained with us for nearly four decades—who provide excellent and dependable service to our devoted customers.
Customize your finely crafted Country Value Woodworks furniture.
One example of how you can customize your bedroom furniture selections is with our Country Value Woodoworks brand.
These beautiful pieces are finely constructed by Amish craftsmen in Pennsylvania.
Select the wood species that fits your home décor.
Truly, you can have it YOUR way! Choose your favorite wood species, finish and hardware to fit your preferences.
Our courteous staff are ready to help you choose the color, style, and size that fits your personal style and your living space. Most of our staff have been with our family owned business for many years. So when you ask a question, you will receive a knowledgeable answer.
Contact Van Gorders’ Furniture to learn more. Or, visit one of our big furniture showrooms for a power browse. You’ll find a unique selection of classic and rustic styles for every room of your home.
Summer is sizzling with a great selection of free live music events in our area — a few of them happen in and around our welcoming rustic showrooms. What better way to enjoy a relaxing power browse or take advantage of our ongoing sales? Stop by to enjoy the music and the savings!
Americana and 60s Rock
Don’t miss Little Sparrow playing Americana, 60s rock, bluegrass, country and jazz at our Milford showroom during the annual Milford Music Festival.
Little Sparrow
Saturday, June 24
1 to 4 pm
321 Water Street (Route 2001)
Little Sparrow has been performing in the Upper Delaware River region since 2008. The band is comprised of Aldo Troiani on mandolin, guitar and vocals; Carol Smith on guitar and vocals; and Lester Wilson on bass. They recently added Jay Ganz on Peal Steel guitar; Van Manakas on fiddle and guitar; and Mike Cervone on drums.
Homegrown Music and Arts
Enjoy a delightful day of live music and crafts just down the street from our Honesdale showroom.
Roots & Rhythm Festival
Saturday, June 17
Central Park
1:30 to 9:00 pm
Van Gorders’ Furniture partnered with the Black Bear Film Festival (BBFF) to host a reception for renewing and new members of BBFF’s Patrons Den on Sunday, January 22 in our Milford, PA showroom at 321 Water Street (Route 2001).
Scott Van Gorder chats with Milford resident Kathryn Jung about our commitment to the Black Bear Film Festival and the community at large.
“As a local business in Pike and Wayne counties,” said Scott Van Gorder, “we value the importance of Black Bear and other cultural institutions. The festival, its patrons and its sponsors are good for our business and good for our communities.”
Now in its 18th year, The Black Bear Film Festival is held every fall in Pike County, PA. Its mission is to support and promote innovative, independent films.
Guests at the reception in our Milford furniture showroom enjoyed wine, cheese, coffee, and treats as BBFF’s Bob Keiber previewed some of the film festival’s 2017 initiatives. He highlighted the return of BBFF’s Schools Partnership Initiative, which was launched last year with more than 12 student films showcased during festival weekend.
Black Bear Film Festival 2017
Bob Keiber informs Patrons Den Members of new Black Bear initiatives.
Leading up to the 2017 film festival, slated for October 20 through 22 in Milford, BBFF will provide films, events, workshops and programs throughout the year.
“We’ll always remain focused on the October festival weekend,” said Keiber, “but as we form partnerships with regional schools, merchants, and other community organizations, we all see the benefits of making Black Bear a year-round part of the community fabric.”
The Patrons Den membership club was launched last year by Barbara Buchanan and BBFF Board Member Will Voelkel as a means of welcoming festival patrons into a members’ club with benefits including previews, passes, special events and discounts.
With the bands booked and the stages being set, organizers of Milford Music Festival’s 15th annual event proudly announced their most music-filled weekend to date!
From June 24th to the 26th there will be more than 60 musical acts in 30 different venues throughout the town of Milford Pennsylvania, and it’s all free and family-friendly.
As part of the festival, Van Gorders’ Furniture will present Little Sparrow performing at our Milford showroom, at 321 Water Street (Route 2001), on Saturday, June 25, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Stop by to hear some Americana 60s rock, bluegrass, country and jazz.
Little Sparrow
Little Sparrow has been performing in the Upper Delaware River region since 2008. The band is comprised of Aldo Troiani on mandolin, guitar and vocals; Carol Smith on guitar and vocals; and Lester Wilson on bass. They recently added Jay Ganz on Peal Steel guitar; Van Manakas on fiddle and guitar; and Mike Cervone on drums.
Over the years Little Sparrow has invited dozens of accomplished musicians to perform with them, including Thurman Barker, Ron Penska, Brewster Smith, Doug Rodgers, Lynn Reno, Chip Forelli, Sara Hulse, Jim Stickler, Jesse and Larry Kitzmiller, Ralph Housman, Herb Clay, Kurt Knuth, Fred Scholl, Barry Wiesenfeld, Steve Schwartz, Mike Cervone, Greg Fiske and Leroy Seals, and Dan Engvaldsen. Whether as guest musicians or emeritus players, all of these musicians have helped to define the band’s free spirited musical style.
Music Festival Highlights
Highlights of Milford Music Festival 2016 include Friday night’s performance in The Foundation Room of the Columns Museum, featuring 3 acts as varied as blues, folk, roots and indie rock. The free show starts at 7pm.
On Sunday morning, the Milford Farmers Market at The Grotto Restaurant will host garage rock artist Francie Moon followed by the kick-off to Music in the Park’s summer series in Ann St Park.
Our Flagship showroom at the corner of Church & 6th Streets in Honesdale, PA.
Eighty years ago, Van Gorders’ Furniture began business as the Honesdale Furniture Exchange. Founder Ralph Van Gorder rented the bottom floor of the Jenkins Building on Honesdale’s Main Street in 1936 and placed an ad in the Wayne Independent saying he would buy anyone’s used furniture—“a single piece, an attic full or a house full.”
Today, our fourth-generation family-owned business sells new furniture, specializing in the finest American-made rustic home furnishings, as well as flooring and Sealy Posturepedic and Stearns & Foster mattresses. We have consistently grown and changed with the times, now serving the tri-state region with the Lake Region’s three largest furniture showrooms, located in Milford, Lake Wallenpaupack and Honesdale, PA.
80th Anniversary Facebook Contest
To celebrate our 80-year milestone, we’re awarding an $80 gift certificate every month in 2016 through a Facebook contest. Participants must “like” our page to earn a chance to win by correctly identifying various aspects of a photo we will post monthly on our Facebook page.
Check out our February winner as selected by our own Scott Mosher!
Decades before social media came into existence, Ralph Van Gorder began building a customer base the old fashioned way. Reflecting on Ralph’s business acumen, his son Don Van Gorder wrote, “I have always heard that the Dutch were avid merchants, so Dad evidently came into his calling naturally.”
It wasn’t long before Ralph realized the need to expand, and purchased a sprawling four-floor historic landmark in Honesdale, which we still use today. Originally the National Hotel, it has stood at the corner of Church and Sixth Streets since 1865.
Although the business survived the devastating flood of 1942, some artifacts, like its first ledger, are permanently stained with flood mud. The ledger reveals that the first customer bought a “Wash Boiler” for $1.00, to be paid within two weeks. The next was a “battery radio with speaker,” at a cost of $2.50—“to be worked out.”
Growing and Changing with the Times
Max, Greg, Derek (holding Jack), and Dylan Van Gorder.
As the business continued to grow, Don opened a modern second showroom on Route 6 at beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack, PA in 1978. His son Scott joined the business and brought a distinct focus on lodge- and Adirondack-style furnishings that reflect the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains, Catskills and Delaware River Highlands.
Scott’s three sons Derek, Dylan and Max have since entered the business, and in October 2014 Van Gorders’ Furniture expanded into its third showroom in Milford, PA. “We have staying power, a unique product mix, and an honest approach to business,” explains Scott. Grandsons Greg and Jackson are already involved in sustaining the family reputation as a longtime community business with their winning personalities.
Our great team of staff members. Left to right: Jeff Beddoe, Darrell Lavoie, Casey Dmochowski, Scott Mosher, Sean Davis, and Joe Ayres.
Another factor contributing to our 80-year success story is our caring and knowledgeable professional staff—some of whom have been with us for more than 35 years—who provide excellent and dependable service to devoted customers. As in the early days, every team member is dedicated to providing an enjoyable and relaxing shopping adventure, which means being helpful without being pushy.
Today, Van Gorders’ Furniture is proud to serve the Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey regions as the fifth generation of Van Gorders learns the art and craft of a multi-generational family business.
The holidays are right around the corner. Soon, it will be time for special gatherings and meals with family and friends!
Right now is the perfect time to spruce up your home with a new dining room table. At Van Gorders’ Furniture we carry quality American made brands like Country Value, Old Hickory and Green Gables.
And, we’ve got many dining room table options to fit your home décor, and your space.
Dining Room Tables – 3 Space Saving Tips
Here are 3 stylish and convenient space-saving options.
This beauty is handcrafted in the United States from reclaimed barnwood timbers.
Butterfly leaves are great for smaller spaces. The removable centerpiece can be placed at any time to accommodate a large group at your dining room table.
Drop leaf dining room tables feature end pieces that can be folded down to save space, or up to add more place settings.
Storage leaf tables help to protect your table leaves when not in use.
We also carry a selection of base options, some of which provide extra storage. Or, a lazy susan option for ease of serving your guests.
Dining Room Table Finishes
At Van Gorders’ Furniture you can choose from a variety of wood species, like barnwood, oak, hickory, chestnut, and even pine.
Look at the quality craftsmanship in this Green Gables chair.
One of our most popular dining room table styles is made of reclaimed barnwood timbers by Green Gables Furniture in Illinois. These finely crafted pieces are sturdy and stylish. Their form and function create a family heirloom to be loved for generations to come.
So stop by any of Van Gorders’ 3 big showrooms for a relaxing shopping adventure—in downtown Honesdale, historic Milford or at scenic Lake Wallenpaupack. There’s never any sales pressure, just a relaxing experience in our unique and welcoming showrooms.
Our experienced staff is ready to answer your questions or offer help only when you need it.
Little Sparrow
Little Sparrow has been performing in the Upper Delaware River region since 2008. The band is comprised of Aldo Troiani on mandolin, guitar and vocals; Carol Smith on guitar and vocals; and Lester Wilson on bass. They recently added Jay Ganz on Peal Steel guitar; Van Manakas on fiddle and guitar; and Mike Cervone on drums.
Van Gorders' Furniture Blog 