Bernard Castro
Encyclopedia
Bernard Castro was the inventor of the modern convertible couch
.
Born in Sicily
, Castro emigrated to the U.S.
in 1919. Castro never finished high school and instead, went to work as an upholsterer's apprentice. In 1931, with $400, he opened his first store, which eventually became, Castro Convertibles. Having sold over 5 million of his convertible sofas through 48 retail showrooms, in 12 states, when he died in 1991, he was a multimillionaire.
With his wife Theresa Barbaras, on Valentine's Day
1942, and together they had two children, Bernard, Jr. and Bernadette. Bernadette
became famous in the metropolitan New York area as the company's four year old spokesman. Theresa died at the age of 85 in March 2002. Castro Convertibles was eventually acquired by a competitor, Krause Furniture.
Bernadette Castro, who sold the company in 1993, did not sell the large portfolio of commercial real estate that her father had acquired, both retail and industrial. Those properties in New York, Florida, Connecticut, and Virginia put the family in the real estate business. The iconic Castro Convertible brand was retired until 2010 when Bernadette Castro and her children bought back the intellectual property and relaunched the business with one of the most popular original products, the Castro Convertible Ottoman. Rather than retail locations, the new Castro is available on line and at many Macy's stores across the country. The line will be expanded.
Couch
A couch, also called a sofa, is an item of furniture designed to seat more than one person, and providing support for the back and arms. Typically, it will have an armrest on either side. In homes couches are normally found in the family room, living room, den or the lounge...
.
Born in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Castro emigrated to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1919. Castro never finished high school and instead, went to work as an upholsterer's apprentice. In 1931, with $400, he opened his first store, which eventually became, Castro Convertibles. Having sold over 5 million of his convertible sofas through 48 retail showrooms, in 12 states, when he died in 1991, he was a multimillionaire.
With his wife Theresa Barbaras, on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
1942, and together they had two children, Bernard, Jr. and Bernadette. Bernadette
Bernadette Castro
Bernadette Castro is a New York politician and businesswoman who served in the Cabinet of former Governor George Pataki. She was the heir and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Castro Convertibles, a sofa business in New Hyde Park, New York. Castro sold the company to Krause...
became famous in the metropolitan New York area as the company's four year old spokesman. Theresa died at the age of 85 in March 2002. Castro Convertibles was eventually acquired by a competitor, Krause Furniture.
Bernadette Castro, who sold the company in 1993, did not sell the large portfolio of commercial real estate that her father had acquired, both retail and industrial. Those properties in New York, Florida, Connecticut, and Virginia put the family in the real estate business. The iconic Castro Convertible brand was retired until 2010 when Bernadette Castro and her children bought back the intellectual property and relaunched the business with one of the most popular original products, the Castro Convertible Ottoman. Rather than retail locations, the new Castro is available on line and at many Macy's stores across the country. The line will be expanded.
