Connecticut native Tom Hall has been a stalwart in the high-end furniture industry for more than four decades.
Now, the longtime owner and founder of Connecticut Home Interiors will be retiring after his West Hartford store closes for good later this year.
Hall, 82, said it is just time to step away. His business has been located at 830 Farmington Ave. since 1983. Total liquidation began at the 30,000-square-foot showroom space on Thursday and will continue for the next three months.
“It was finally time to move on and at this point of your life you start to recognize your mortality,” Hall said. “I guess that’s what I’m doing. We are going to be liquidating the furniture over the next three months and hopefully we get some green values to people.”
Hall grew up in Newington and said he bought his first bicycle at the same 830 Farmington Ave. location as a 12-year-old when it was previously the Marholin-Lane Inc. Bicycle, Appliance and Furniture Store.
“It’s the strangest thing. I came here as a child and then came back many years later and purchased the building from them in 1983,” Hall said.
Hall said it’s hard to step aside from the business. He said the business, which scaled back after the COVID-19 pandemic, has nine employees.
“You get so accustomed to doing it and I’ve had my staff, every member has been anywhere from 25 to 35 years with me,” Hall said. “They’ve been through a lot together we’re all at retirement age, so it doesn’t hurt so much to see that. But I’ve been very fortunate I have a great staff of people that have seen it right to the end with me, so but yes, it was difficult (to retire) because you became a family.”
Over the years, Connecticut Home Interiors supported Hartford’s Oak Hill School through fundraising programs and an annual golf tournament.
Hall said and his wife of 22 years, Christine, said they’ve been discussing retiring over the last three years. “I started advertising the building for sale and then the age issue, I realized it was time to do something,” Hall said.
Michael Guidicelli of Regions Commercial Real Estate Advisors purchased the building earlier this year, according to Hall.
Hall said he wanted to thank his customers for the years of support and hopes to see them come in over the next 90 days.
The business said furniture and accessories are “priced to move quickly” and that “heirloom-quality area rugs will be discounted up to 65% off.” The store features name brands like Bernhardt, Bradington-Young, Caracole, Century, Hancock & Moore, Hickory Chair, Stickley and Theodore Alexander.
“I’m deeply thankful for the support this community has provided over the years and for the many friendships that grew out of the store. As I step into retirement, I carry with me a deep appreciation for everyone who has been part of this journey,” Hall said.
