Commercial Business Furniture is Salem’s Longest Running Business
The oldest and continuously run official business has changed ownership and model over the years but has remained committed to providing business for the local community.
The current iteration is called Commercial Business Furniture (CBF), run by the Mizer family. Katy is the Principle Owner, Dale is retired, but was the Business Manager and their son Sawyer is the Sales and Ergonomic Consultant for the company.
The company has been in Salem in one form or another since 1869. It was originally a commercial bookstore and then morphed into a furniture store in 1992.
In 2013, owner Ray Gotchall retired and sold the company to the Mizer family.
“Mom is the owner, dad is the furniture guru and comes from 25 years of manufacturing experience and knows his stuff with furniture,” Sawyer Mizer said. “When my dad retired, I took over installations and was the sole installer until we started hiring folks and I eventually started handling the sales portion.”
The company now focuses on furniture design and layout, ergonomic consulting and seating for businesses and other interested parties.
They will work with anybody that needs furniture help and have done lobby seating, break rooms, car dealerships, insurance offices, medical clinics, etc.
“We work on lobby furniture, filing storage, anything in an office that is needed,” Mizer said. “We try to be yes people and will track it down and find a solution. People seem to appreciate having something that is close to a one stop shop.”
The business is located in the heart of Salem at 1090 Commercial Street NE but will work with companies outside of the Mid-Willamette Valley and state of Oregon.
“People remember us and know the work we do,” Mizer said. “We’re here to be a resource for the companies and folks we work with. We want to be a consistent partner in people’s growth and make sure their business and employees are taken care of, and we’ll take care of anybody, just about anywhere.”
One of their specialties is ergonomic seating, which can be expensive, but is worth it in the long run.
“At the end of the day, if someone chooses to spend money on a quality chair with me or someone down the street, I’d rather do that than spend money on Amazon or something overseas,” Mizer said.
On October 30, Commercial Business Furniture will celebrate their 155th anniversary in the community.
“That’s the nice thing about working with local businesses, you’re supporting each other and building each other up,” Mizer said. “Everything we sell is something that we know is going to last. Customers feel comfortable, knowing they will be taken care of.”