THUNDER BAY – Gilbert’s Furniture & Appliances will be closing their doors and going out of business at the end of this month.  The owners Emilio Garro, Diane Garro and Jean Frost have decided to retire from the business. Gilbert’s has been in business for more than 60 years on Simpson Street at the same location.  Harry Gilbert opened the store back in the 1950’s at 443 Simpson Street. 

The original building stood until 1979, until it was torn down and replaced with a much larger and more modern building.  In all that time the store has had a reputation for service, help and quality merchandise. Gilbert’s is one of Thunder Bay last independent furniture stores and with its closure the city will have lost another local business.

Gilbert’s Furniture & Appliances supports ALS

Gilbert’s Furniture wanted to the end their business legacy on a positive note. Along with help from Claudio Monteleone of Great Expectations Marketing, they put together a fundraiser for ALS Thunder Bay.

Owner Diane Garro’s father and sister that died from ALS.  She felt that it would be fitting to do one last good deed and do a fundraiser before the doors to Gilbert’s closed for good.

 From February 1st to 15th, 2013, Gilbert’s Furniture fundraised for ALS Thunder Bay (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  Customers where encouraged to fill out a donor card with any donation made (min. donation of $2.00) for a chance in receiving a 7 cu’ chest freezer as a gift.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating disease with varied etiology characterized by rapidly progressive weakness, muscle atrophy and fasciculations, muscle spasticity, difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).

The owners of Gilbert’s Furniture will be presenting the donation today (February 19th,2013) at 4:30pm at their store to ALS Thunder Bay and the winner of the chest freezer will also be drawn.