Carey Bracko enjoys running his successful, family-founded, community-minded store, that has been a Calgary family enterprise for more than 40 years
Carey Bracko got involved in the furniture industry at the age of 17. While playing hockey with the Junior A Canucks, he and some of his buddies delivered furniture for The Oak Shoppe. The retail store sold heavy, solid oak furniture, so transporting it required strong young men.
Located off 52nd Street S.E. in Forest Lawn, The Oak Shoppe was owned by Bracko’s family and was a successful retail operation, until the NEP-caused recession that hurt many small businesses.
Young Bracko, then aged 22, was asked if he would like to take over running the shop; he agreed to tackle the problem for six months to see if he could turn it around. That was 37 years ago, and Bracko — who at the time knew furniture but little about managing a business — worked hard, was a quick learner and today still runs a successful furniture store as the sole owner.
It didn’t take him long to realize that oak was not a wood to depend on for all of his sales, and soon the store had introduced other quality woods, including cherry, maple, walnut and hickory. The choices were further expanded by offering upholstered furniture in a wide selection of fabrics, as well as in leather in a variety of colours.
That meant a move to larger premises, at 5711 6th Street S.E., and a name change. The business continued to evolve so that today it is known as Bracko Home Furniture and Mattresses.
The new location originally offered 6,000 square feet but the need for more space was resolved by building an additional 10,000 square feet on the back lot. Furniture showrooms need a lot space but, of his almost 17,000 square feet, Bracko has carved out 7,000 square feet to host an attractive studio dedicated to Palliser Furniture.
Bracko says he is always searching for earth-friendly furniture that is fashionable, lasting and Canadian made. And Palliser Furniture, deigned and built in Winnipeg, surely fit the bill. Bracko has partnered with Palliser to offer a wide variety of its creations for living rooms, with a range of stationary and power motion sectionals, and home theatre products.
One of the advantages of dealing with such a large manufacturer is that a customer can custom-design items to their own preference of style, colour and fabric.
To help a customer decide, one of Bracko’s experienced interior design team will visit a home to help choose the right pieces — at no charge.
Another new feature is the recent opening of Bracko’s Mattress Gallery, where brands and styles of all major mattress makers are on display. Bracko says quality is the key, and he has found it in all types, including all-natural, foam, flippable and lifestyle and adjustable bed frames.
Living rooms and bedrooms take up most of the store’s inventory, but Bracko sits in his office on one of its ergonomic chairs, sold through his office division that also handles the popular adjustable stand-up desks for office and home. And a commercial division is busy supplying a number of seniors homes and hospitality properties.
Carey Bracko enjoys running his successful, family-founded, community-minded store, that has been a Calgary family enterprise for more than 40 years.
Notes:
The city has celebrated the redevelopment and opening of Humpy Hollow Park. Located in the heart of the Beltline — at Centre Street and 17th Avenue S.W., a densely populated area of the city — the park has been transformed from an underutilized green space into a vibrant, welcoming urban hub. Inspired by community engagement, DIALOG’s team of architects and urban planners have redesigned the park, integrating the desires for more dynamic, multi-purpose spaces while preserving its historical significance as home to the McHugh House, one of the oldest houses in Calgary. Built in 1896, it is a fine example of rare early Queen Ann renewal-style architecture. DIALOG improved pedestrian access, created a centralized plaza, a covered performing stage and a ramp to both the stage and McHugh House. Other features include a built-in seating wave, movable site furniture and an enclosed off-leash dog park, equipped with synthetic turf.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.