Ideal Furniture closing Oct. 31 after 83 years in Ensley

One of the last remaining retailers in the Birmingham neighborhood of Ensley is closing its doors for good at the end of October. Ideal Furniture—a historic, family-owned furniture store in downtown Ensley—announced that it will be ceasing operations on Saturday, October 31.

Ideal Furniture has been an Ensley landmark for 83 years

Located at 702 19th St Ensley, Ideal Furniture has operated under three generations of the Zivitz family for over eight decades. Originally created as a drugstore—Ideal Drugs—by founder Nathan Zivitz in 1943, the store transitioned from a pharmacy into a full-fledged furniture store under his tenure.

Today, the store sells a wide variety of home furnishings, mattresses, home entertainment and office furniture and holds the title of longest standing retail establishment in Ensley.

Sadly, like all good things, Ideal Furniture’s time in Ensley is coming to a close.

Ideal Furniture made the announcement on social media, sharing that the family-owned company will be “forever grateful for the generations of customers who have supported us since 1943.”

“It’s been an honor to serve Ensley for the past 83 years. We’ve had third- and fourth-generation families as customers—it’s going to be very hard to leave. It’s like leaving part of your family.”

Kevin Zivitz, Vice President and third-generation owner, Ideal Furniture

According to Mr. Zivitz, Ideal Furniture will be hosting a massive store closing sale, now through its final day on Saturday, October 31. Stay posted to Ideal Furniture’s Facebook page for updates.