News Summary
Colder’s Furniture and Appliance, a West Allis retailer known for 83 years of service, has been acquired by Boston, Inc. This acquisition will enhance operations and brand offerings while keeping 95% of Colder’s employees. Planned changes include an expanded product range featuring brands like Sub-Zero and Tempur-Pedic, alongside remodels for a fresh look. Closing temporarily for rebranding, the move marks a new chapter for both Colder’s and Boston FAM.
West Allis — Colder’s Furniture and Appliance, a longstanding retailer based in West Allis, has been acquired by Boston, Inc., a company headquartered in Stevens Point. The acquisition marks a significant transition for Colder’s, which has operated for 83 years since its founding in 1942. Specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Boston, Inc., also known as Boston FAM, is the parent company overseeing multiple Ashley HomeStore locations and Furniture and ApplianceMart branches across Wisconsin. This acquisition will expand Boston FAM’s management to a total of 21 furniture and appliance showrooms in the state.
Following the acquisition, CEO Bill Fonti announced an array of planned changes to enhance the operations of Colder’s stores. Among the upcoming improvements is an increased variety of brands and products, including Sub-Zero, Thermador, Tempur-Pedic, Simmons, Serta, and Purple. Additionally, the electronics selection will be broadened through the Flanner’s brand. Colder’s stores will also receive a fresh aesthetic makeover, accompanied by significant remodels at all four locations.
In terms of workforce impact, approximately 95% of Colder’s employees will retain their positions after the acquisition. This commitment reflects Boston FAM’s strategy to maintain continuity within the company while bringing about necessary upgrades. Fonti described the move as a “rebirth” of the Colder’s brand, aiming to reinvigorate its presence in the market.
Colder’s has expressed gratitude towards its loyal customer base, emphasizing the company’s rich history and the optimistic outlook for the future. The retailer, originally established as a refrigeration service company named Henry Cooler Co. by Henry Felker, evolved over the decades to accommodate a wider range of appliance and furniture products.
The current retail location for Colder’s has been situated in the former Wickes Furniture building on Highway 100 in West Allis since 1983. The business has been under the management of the Felker family lineage since its inception, most recently led by the descendants of Harry Felker, who passed away in 2011.
To facilitate the transition, Colder’s stores will temporarily close from September 10 to September 12 for re-tagging purposes to align with the new brand and offerings under Boston FAM. This temporary pause will allow for a seamless integration of the updated inventory and aesthetic enhancements.
The acquisition by Boston FAM represents a significant milestone not just for Colder’s, but also for Boston FAM, which transitioned to an employee-owned company in 2019, marking a new chapter in its business evolution. The changes at Colder’s are set to bring a modern twist to a time-honored name in the Wisconsin retail landscape.
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Additional Resources
- BizTimes: Colder’s Acquired by Boston, Inc.
- Wikipedia: Furniture
- JSONline: Retail’s Changing Landscape
- Google Search: Colder’s Furniture Acquisition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Appliance
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
