Texas retailer Edelstein's Better Furniture closing

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Edelstein's Better Furniture, in business in the Rio Grande Valley for 107 years, is closing its remaining two Designer's Showroom stores here and in McAllen, Texas.

The third-generation owner is Julie Edelstein-Best, who is retiring. The high-end Designer's Showroom is holding a going-out-of-business sale at both locations starting today and managed by Planned Furniture Promotions.

Edelstein's Better Furniture was founded in 1906 by Morris Edelstein, a young Lithuanian immigrant, who started by peddling a variety of wares door-to-door in Brownsville, PFP said in a release. He became the first area merchant to offer "time payment plans" on a variety of goods, including buggies and furniture.

His business steadily grew and Edelstein eventually operated 13 stores from Eagle Pass, Texas, to Brownsville and including stores in Matamoros and Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Morris Edelstein's son, Ruben, now retired, took the reins of the business in 1946 along with brother, Ben, who died in 2009. Together, they operated the chain for more than 60 years.

In February 2008, the Edelstein family sold its 12 Edelstein's stores but retained the two high-end Designer's Showroom stores.

Suppliers include Marge Carson, Baker, Sherrill, Century, Henredon, Rachlin, Drexel Heritage, Caracole, Flexsteel, Hancock and Moore, Lexington, Maitland-Smith, Hooker and Theodore Alexander.