Rotmans

Murray and Ida Rotman had been associated with the furniture and carpet business since they moved from Boston to Worcester in 1945. Murray started as a carpet salesperson, then buyer in the former C.T. Sherers department store on Front Street in downtown Worcester. In the mid 1950's, Murray and his wife Ida had a chance to purchase the carpet and furniture concession, naming their corporation Murida (Murray + Ida). When the Sherers store was about to close, they moved their business to the Barnards department store on Main Street. In 1964, Murray and Ida saw the need to expand and were allowed to open a branch store on Southbridge Street at College Square. They leased 10,000 square feet in the former Whittal Carpet Mill and it was called Barnards New World of Furniture and Carpet.

The Rotmans family attributes its business success to its undeniably large selection of category shopping not only in furniture, but also in mattresses, carpeting, and flooring plus recently added televisions. Yet, as President Steve Rotman is quick to add, "it's not just a vast selection by category, but it's the best of each category in terms of style, beautifully displayed in amazing room settings. At every turn in Rotmans you are struck with how complete and well coordinated each setting is presented. It's really an 'ideas store' for any interior design plans you're even thinking about."

Rotmans has been pleased and honored to receive Achievement Awards from The Better Business Bureau, The Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, The Worcester Business Journal (Family Business Award) and Clark University School of Management (Corporate Citizen's Award). Having been previously named the National Carpet Association Retailer of the Year and, in 2011 Rotmans was also named The Retailer of the Year by the National Home Furnishings Association.

Murray Rotman passed away in the spring of 2004. Ida, now in her late 90's is still active in the business as a wise advisor and counsel to all Rotmans Associates, most especially her three sons, Barry, Steve, and Bernie

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