A look back: October 18, 1980

Fifty years ago this month, the late Harry Kern began a furniture sales business in a barn along Main Street in Slatedale. At the time, he had a few items of new furniture, but most of his stock was used and refurbished furniture.

Today, Kern’s Furniture Store still exists. Only new furniture is sold. The business has grown to the extent that it is the second-largest furniture store in the Lehigh Valley.

The store is run by the late Kern’s son, James, who was a partner with his father. It currently has 17 employees. Randy Skeath of Neffs is the store manager and LuAnn Noll of Lehighton is its buyer.