By Paige Brazil
In the late 1800s, a German immigrant by the name of Gottlieb Hermann came to Texas and established what would become the oldest family owned furniture store in Texas. Gottlieb moved to Washington County, obtained his citizenship, and in 1876 opened G. Hermann Furniture.
In the beginning years of the store, furniture was delivered, moved, and sold in wagons.
“The late 1800s were a prosperous time for Brenham and Washington County,” according to the store website. “As the community grew, so too did the store. Gottlieb added more modern and finer brands of furniture helping to define his rapidly changing frontier community. The reputation of the quality grew and the store expanded to seven locations throughout Texas.”
The Brenham location is the original G. Hermann Furniture store and is the only one still in operation today. Gottlieb passed the store to his sons, Ernest and Will, thus establishing the family tradition of owning and operating the store.
The store has been passed down through the generations, experiencing few changes since the inception of the original store in 1876.
From the moment you walk through the door, you immediately know Hermann’s is unlike any other furniture store. The ambiance of the old building is the perfect setting for the consumer experience. A multitude of interior furnishings and accessories blend to create the kind of shopping experience that makes each shopper feel inspired. Fifth-generation owner Jennifer Hermann has used her creative eye and passion for family to create the unique and widely shopped Hermann Furniture seen today.
“[We have] a wide variety of furniture at our store. It used to be just your usual store with a few appliances, carpets, and linoleum, but now we’re just a full furniture store including rugs, accessories, and gifts, and we even offer design services,” says Jennifer. “We are full season and decorate the store based on what season or holiday is taking place.”
The store also hosts design seminars, group functions, and The Heritage Society of Washington County’s annual fundraiser, Christmas at the Mansion. Located on the store website is a blog published with season-based content and ideas based on what is trending, says Hermann.
“We also have an antique mall, an emporium which houses all of our food items and children’s boutique, and a craft mall,” says Jennifer. “The store is four buildings that are all connected.”
The store has a design studio section that houses thousands of fabric samples for customers to design their own upholstery. A design specialist assists customers in the selection process, encouraging customers to utilize the check-out service. Customers are able to check out any fabric they choose in order to visualize the interior space where the fabric will be used, according to the store website.
“Our family values are God, family, and community, and we bring those values to our business each and every day,” says Jennifer. “We want to give back to the community by providing excellent customer service and by preserving this part of Washington County history.”
