Our History

Don Gabbert

Gabberts Design Studio and Fine Furniture is a family business built on integrity and innovation. Founded by entrepreneur Don Gabbert in 1946, Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furniture started as a tire and appliance store in downtown Minneapolis before converting to a general furniture store seven years later.

Venturing into Furniture

In 1959, Don moved the company to the Twin Cities suburb of Edina. This new store featured furniture creatively displayed in vignettes – a first for the furniture industry – allowing customers to envision how entire rooms of items would look in their homes. The lower level included a family-friendly Garden Court, offering free refreshments, patio seating and a play area for kids. In 1959, Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furniture became a national trend-setter by launching a premier design studio inside a furniture store. Gabberts soon became synonymous with design. Through the years, the company was owned and operated by the Gabberts family, with management responsibilities passing from Don to sons John and Jim. In the 1990s, House Beautiful magazine named Gabberts the “Best Home Furnishings Retailer in America.”

Gabberts Revitalized

In 2007, Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furniture unveiled a five million dollar renovation – a top to bottom remodel. Now the store provides an easy-to-navigate, uncluttered environment providing a more rewarding experience for today’s customers. Seven resource centers were consolidated to one Inspiration Center to make it easy for customers to visualize their furniture design choices and to plan with our design consultants.

Acquired by HOM

In August of 2008, Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furnishings was acquired by HOM Furniture. HOM Furniture is a privately held company with stores in Edina, Minnesota, as well as Little Canada, Minnesota. HOM’s intention when acquiring Gabberts was to venture into the luxury market, leveraging the brand while expanding into new markets, with continued focus on Gabberts reputation for design, product quality and customer service.

60th Anniversary

Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furniture for professional guidance in the interior design of their homes and offices. Our Design Studio has over 20 highly qualified and accredited designers who choose to make Gabberts their home. Through these furniture design experts, you can discover the depth of the Gabberts Design Studio which has been creating beautiful interiors for generations. The fine furniture & design legacy continues today and you can be part of it when you work with one of our interior designers.

Gabberts Opens in Little Canada

In March of 2015, the largest furniture complex in Minnesota opened in Little Canada. This 170,500 square foot building is designed to appeal to a broad customer base with a variety of product offerings. Gabberts joined HOM Furniture and DOCK86 in this unique megastore that includes all three furniture brands with a showroom and design center.