By Mike Kinney
Richmond Furniture, a family-owned business that became somewhat of a local landmark at Garvin and San Pablo avenues since opening in 1989, will permanently close at the end of the year.
In an interview earlier this year, owner Gino Dzoan told the Standard he was hoping to retire by the end of this year. He said when he retired, he planned to do a lot of fishing.
Today at the store, which sports large signs stating “Closing Sale Everything Must Go!,” employee Kevin Nguyen confirmed to the Standard that the store will close for good at the end of December.
The discounts have been bringing a lot of customers into the store recently, Nguyen said.
But customers and neighbors alike are sad to see the longtime family business go. A customer today who identified herself as Joanie remarked on the great deals currently being offered, but added, “It is such a shame they are closing.” Juan Nunez, owner of Juan’s Gym located across the street, agreed. “It is so sad, it has been here such a long time, it’s been an institution here on San Pablo Avenue for over three decades,” he said.
Jen Yang from the nearby Rose and Mike’s Liquor, another family-owned store, said she’s “happy that Gino will take a well-earned retirement.”
“This will give another party on opportunity to open up and own new a local business here on San Pablo Avenue,” Yang said.
Concepcion Alvarado from the family-owned Alvarado Flower Shop added, “We are business neighbors; we are like family so to speak,” while Ledesma Mortgage and Real Estate’s Liliana Ledesma called the family and business “a gem” of Richmond.
“They are satisfied with what they accomplished as a family-owned business over three decades,” Ledesma said. “It was truly an amazing run what they accomplished.”
