Owner – Spring Street Gallery – Vintage Fine Art, Furniture and more
Where does your love for the arts stem from?
My parents were both Artists. My Father a Photographer and Mother was the founder of Ceramics N More. I’ve always enjoyed the illustrations out of the early xMen series comics and fine art from the local museums. I grew up in the furniture and ceramics paint studio since I was a baby. I was in adult art lessons since I was 12 maybe younger.
Your family has been in the furniture business for 3 generations. Weiss’s furniture in Latrobe. Did you ever try to make furniture?
I myself am interested in industrial and furniture design. I have worked with 2 brands and have consulted for 2 series but have yet to import the furniture to the US. It is a dream of mine to have a furniture factory especially now due to the shipping issues with cargo ships.
Can you talk about the history of Weiss’s furniture?
Weiss Furniture was founded in 1922 by Joseph Weiss and his son, Hymen Weiss. The original location, an old horse stable, was on Depot Street near the split for Route 981. Hymen worked very hard to make the building presentable for the sale of furniture and appliances. The furniture was delivered using horse-drawn wagons and horse-powered sleighs in the winter. The store prospered due to Joseph’s communication skills in speaking to an immigrant population in their own native languages and due to Hymen’s business skills. During the depression and other “difficult times,” Hymen allowed customers with little credit to “buy” furniture with the hope that they could pay in better times. Most all paid the store back and became life-long loyal customers.
Hymen acquired full ownership in 1937 upon his father’s death. Hymen’s wife, Freida, became the store’s home decorator, and worked with customers as an interior designer
In 1950, William Dunhoff, Hymen Weiss’s brother in law, acquired a minority interest in the store. They worked together until Hymen’s retirement in 1973. At that time, William acquired full ownership of the store.
On July 18, 1952, the Weiss Furniture moved to its present location, Lincoln Avenue and Depot Street. The new store boasted a huge new modern brick building with state-of-the art lighting, floor-to-ceiling showroom windows and a huge parking lot. Even though there were five furniture stores in town at the time, Weiss Furniture thrived, and became the premier spot to shop for home furnishings.
In 1972, David Dunhoff, William’s first son, began working for Weiss Furniture, became partner and assistant manager in 1975. His brother, Richard Dunhoff joined the company in 1976, and served as advertising and promotions manager. When William retired in 1979, David took over management responsibilities until he retired in 2007. Weiss furniture is currently owned by Richard Dunhoff and managed by Rick Lenard. Weiss Furniture continues to thrive today, and has expanded its presence onto the internet.
Weiss Furniture has the professional delivery personnel and “on staff” skilled craftsmen that service and repair the many products we sell. Our salespersons are knowledgeable and helpful. Since 1922, our goal has been to provide complete customer satisfaction, and make your experience a pleasurable one.
You are the owner and operator of The Spring St Gallery. Can you tell our viewers about the Gallery?
It’s a store a prop shop and design center all in 1 with 5 or more specialized vintage collections for sale and for rent. Since 2014 I have been collecting and now in 2021 we plan to sell everything for low prices. We now expanded to a new location on Rt 30 near the Irwin Turnpike.
Can local artists display their art in your Gallery? If so, how can they make arrangements to do so?
Right now, No, but I am now starting to bring in local artists to my families store Weiss Furniture. I also am a manager for artists. I can get sculptures and paintings into feature films. I am also marketing artists work on social media for my company Art Cycle, LLC.
I know that you work in the film industry, can you talk about what you do on set?
I have been working on film, TV and commercials as well as a Carpenter hired to breakdown and build the stages for the concerts in Pittsburgh since 2007.
Would you mind talking about some of the films that you have worked on? What is your best memory from a film set?
While filming MA Rainey’s Black Bottom.
A terrible storm made me leave my outdoor duties as the HVAC Operator and I had to go inside.
Denzel Washington saw me and 2 friends standing at the big door entrance to the 31st street studio’s and chatted with us. Also, his speech at the end of filming with the crew all huddled together was a special moment for sure.