Nebraska Furniture Mart Time Capsule

Floor Speech

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Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an Omaha landmark, a fixture in Omaha's history and in the furniture retail world--Nebraska Furniture Mart--on the occasion of their 85th anniversary. In 1937, Rose Blumkin started the Mart--as it is known to those in the community--with $500 in the basement of her husband's shop. Since then, four generations of the Blumkin family have worked at the retail giant which is now also located in Iowa, Kansas City and Texas.

The largest retailer of home furnishings in North America, their flagship store hosts more than two million visitors a year, making it one of Nebraska's top tourists' attractions. Employing over 5000 workers, including 2000 in Omaha, the Mart contributed over $104 million in local payroll for the year 2020. In addition, it generates an average of $4.3 million in Omaha taxes and $24.4 million in state taxes.

As we gather on this 85th anniversary, we look forward to celebrating 100 years and the growth that the Mart will continue to have in Omaha and across the nation. Despite its large growth, the Mart is connected to the community, where it has a large footprint. I believe Rose Blumkin would be proud to see what her $500 has grown into and the impact it has made in the lives of those who work or shop here and would be excited to see what the future has to bear.

Congratulations to Nebraska Furniture Mart and the Blumkin family and I look forward to seeing their progress and growth 15 years from now.

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