Morristown consignment shop redistributing American wealth, one sofa at a time

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conrad mueller
Conrad Mueller is ready for Saturday's grand opening of Manchesters Decor & More, his new furniture consignment shop in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Amble into the new Manchesters Decor & More furniture consignment shop on Bank Street, and you will see handsome tables and sofas at come-hither prices.

Shop Manager Conrad Mueller sees something altogether different: Chess pieces in a tectonic game that is forever altering how we live.

“I believe America has changed permanently,” said Conrad, 55, who emigrated from Germany as a young boy.

“This is part of the redistribution of wealth. Everybody will be downsizing. Everything needs to be recycled. This is a way to recycle furniture.”

He paints a pretty big picture for a guy who once seemed consigned to life in a hospital ward.

Childhood polio led to long, lonely periods of bedridden isolation. It stunted his growth and exposed him to torment by other kids. He turned a blind eye to them–for real. Conrad was born sightless in his left eye.

By the eighth grade, one of Conrad’s legs was four inches longer than the other.

Miraculously, he said, a hospital in Jersey City straightened him out with a series of experimental surgeries.

Learning the machinist’s trade from his father, Conrad went on to own machining and metal-stamping businesses in Butler and Irvington.  About three years ago he got bought out.  A man can only do so much skiing, tennis and Harley riding. Researching his next act, he concluded that consignment furniture was the place to be.

It combines his passion for country furniture with an eco-friendly purpose. And it dovetails with fiancee Alison Manchester’s dream of owning a business. She works at a communications company; the couple live in Denville.

As the shop name suggests, Alison actually owns the new venture, which occupies 1,350 square feet of space leased from the Harry Simon Gallery next door.

The Morristown venue appealed to Conrad because of its huge entrance–a garage door ideal for carting giant furniture pieces in and out.

Cars rolling down Ann Street also enjoy an inviting view as they wait at the Bank Street stop light.

What they will discover, should they look more closely, is a collection of “good- to pristine” furniture that Conrad rates at least a seven on a 10-point scale.  No high-end antiques, no hand-me-down college junk.

For Saturday’s grand opening, the shop is offering a restored Eastlake platform rocking chair for $200, a lovingly preserved leather sofa for $250 and a pair of reupholstered art deco chairs for $600.  A Hooker armoire TV cabinet with hinged doors is priced at $380; a rectangular dining table with eight chairs lists for $2,150.

Conrad also intends to sell works by area artists, starting with painter Mysia Marchesi.

His criteria for the art works?

“Whatever I like,” he said, with the casual confidence of someone who can afford to test his hunches.

Not quite a hobby, it’s not do or die, either.

“I’ve already done a regular career. I’m a big people person; I like hearing their stories,” said Conrad, a self-styled do-it-your-selfer who plans to split proceeds with sellers. Right now, they are comprised mostly of friends and family.

He aims to forge relationships with furniture stores to cultivate a market for good used furniture. Consumers are comfortable with the idea of trading up to a new car; he thinks they can be induced to trade in their couches and kitchens, too.

The machinist side of him, meanwhile, is plotting ways to add an ornamental ironworks business to the mix.

First things first, however.

“You have to satisfy a need,” Conrad said. “Here, the need is for a good used furniture outlet.”

Checkmate?

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