Tepperman’s Celebrates 90 Years In Business

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This Tepperman’s sign from the company’s former Ottawa Street location was uncovered during building renovations in 2006 (Photo by Owen Wolter)

Tepperman’s is celebrating 90 years and to make the occasion they will donate nearly $30,000 in scholarships.

The local furniture, mattress, electronics and appliances store was founded in 1925 by Nate Tepperman when he began to sell household goods door-to-door in Windsor neighbourhoods.

Ninety years later, the company has 341 employees, more than 190,000 square feet in showroom space across southwestern Ontario, and stores in four cities.

“For nine decades, our family has instilled the basic family values of loyalty, reliability and trust into our daily business and through our customer service,” says company president and Nate Tepperman’s grandson Andrew. “From an early age, my brother Noah and I were taught that it was our responsibility to give back to those who have supported us and we are proud to continue that legacy with our 90th anniversary of giving.”

Every month for nearly 20 years, Tepperman’s has randomly drawn awards for $1,000 post-secondary scholarships, which have now reached a grand total $600,000. These awards are invested in the Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan, the largest non-profit Registered Education Saving Plan in Canada. This month, nine scholarships will be awarded, drawn from ballots collected in February in each of the four Tepperman’s locations. Scholarship winners will be announced within the next few weeks.

The company is even extending support to their employees. They say Tepperman’s team members will be eligible to enter for a chance to win a scholarship for their children and grandchildren. Employees currently enrolled in post-secondary education are also eligible, including their spouses.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the passion and commitment of our employees,” says company treasurer Noah Tepperman. “That’s why it was so important to us that we recognize their contributions during this special occasion. This milestone is a remarkable achievement for our team and for the communities in which we serve.”

Building on the theme of “Nine in our 90th” the company says there will be a random draw for nine $500 RESP donations for children up to grade eight. High school students will be invited to submit an essay profiling a leader in community service for a chance to win one of nine $750 bursaries. Nine bursaries of $1,000 each will be awarded to college- or university-registered students who submit an essay on the topic of exploring opportunities that inspire innovation.

“Our family’s name on the front of the building represents the legacy that our parents Rochelle and Bill, and our grandparents Rose and Nate, have built in southwestern Ontario,” says Noah Tepperman. “It’s our privilege to ensure that their legacy not only survives, but thrives, and to remember that we don’t do that alone.”

Visit www.teppermans.com for more details on the scholarship awards.

The company’s current sign (Photo by Owen Wolter)