Mike Davidson jokingly calls them the “four outlaws.”
Their photographs line the wall in an office area of Davidson’s Furniture like “wanted” posters in the Old West.
The pictures represent four generations of Davidsons who have owned the Hornell furniture store since it was established 150 years ago, in 1876.
They are Alexander Davidson, Alexander P. Davidson, Adam T. Davidson and Mike Davidson, the current owner.
Each transition saw a father passing the store on to a son.
“I grew up working here as a kid, all through high school I worked here part-time. Went away to college, decided to come back and go into the business,” Davidson said.
Reaching the 150 year milestone gives the store some much deserved bragging rights.
Davidson’s Furniture is the oldest store in Hornell, and while not verified officially, Mike Davidson has been told its also the oldest continuous family-owned furniture store in New York state.
“There are a couple that may be older, but those stores are not operated by the same family,” said Davidson, who also owns Hornell Furniture Outlet right next door on Main Street.
Hornell history lesson: Three locations in 150 years
The store has been situated in three locations over its century and a half of existence.
It was founded in the U.S. Centennial year by Mike Davidson’s great-grandfather, Alexander Davidson.
Alexander Davidson established the store on Main Street, on the even numbered side in space near where the present day WKPQ 105.3 FM is located, Mike Davidson said.
Some years later, the store moved to Broadway, where it spent decades before transitioning to its current location − 161 Main St. in the former home of an A & P Grocery Store − in 1970.
The first Davidson spent more than 40 years running the business, from 1876-1920.
Mike’s grandfather, Alexander P. Davidson, was next in line, with his years at the store stretching from 1911-1955.
Adam T. Davidson was the third generation owner, with a half century of involvement from 1953-2005.
Mike Davidson, 70, assumed the day-to-day responsibilities from his dad around 1990.
Angela Nasca was the longest tenured employee at the store at 66 years.
“She started here the day she graduated from high school, 18 years old,” Davidson said. “My grandfather Davidson hired her, and she worked here every day until she passed in 2017.
“She was like my second mom, growing up here.”
Leadership that has made a ‘real difference’ in Hornell
Name a civic or business leadership position around Hornell and Mike Davidson has probably filled it.
He was a founding member of Hornell Partners for Growth and he chaired HPG’s Board of Directors for 15 years.
Davidson has been on the Hornell Area Family YMCA Board of Directors for decades. A highlight was leading the capital campaign that resulted in building a brand new Hornell Y on Center Street.
Davidson is a longstanding member of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency’ Board of Directors and he is the current chairman of the Hornell Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held for about eight years.
“What stands out about Mike is that he does the work because he cares about this community,” Hornell Mayor John Buckley said. “His time and leadership have made a real difference, and they help move Hornell forward in ways people may not always see, but certainly benefit from.”
How Davidson’s operates in Year 150
The current store features three floors of merchandise and is open seven days a week. Davidson’s carries curated furniture for every home space − from living rooms and bedrooms to dining areas, home offices, entertainment setups and flooring.
In addition to Davidson, the store employs one full-time salesperson, a part-time salesperson, an office manager, two warehouse workers and two delivery employees.
Davidson’s wife, Sharon, is the store’s chief financial officer.
“She tells me what I can spend and what I can’t spend,” Davidson quipped.
Davidson said he has no plans to retire, but he noted the wall with the photos of the four owners has no room for a fifth picture.
Barbara McCarthy, Davidson’s sister, began working part-time at the store last December after retiring from a corporate career. Her admiration for her “big” brother has only grown with the opportunity to observe him in action.
“He knows the furniture industry amazingly well and is wonderful with customers,” she said. “Not only is he personable, but he works very hard, seven days a week.
“I have learned a lot from Mike in the short time I have been at the store and gotten a peek behind the curtain, or maybe I should say under the sofa.”
Valorie Whitehill, executive director of Hornell Partners for Growth, said HPG is proud to celebrate the store’s milestone and grateful for the role Davidson’s continues to play in keeping the Business Improvement District strong and vibrant.
“On behalf of Hornell Partners for Growth, I want to congratulate Davidson’s Furniture on an incredible 150 years in business,” Whitehill added. “That kind of longevity speaks volumes about their commitment to quality, service, and the community. Davidson’s has been a cornerstone of our downtown and a great example of the strength and resilience of locally owned businesses in Hornell.”
Tracking what’s changed, what hasn’t in furniture business
Davidson’s has adapted with the times but some aspects of the furniture business have remained constant.
“In terms of items, sofas are sofas and mattresses are mattresses, recliners are recliners,” Davidson said. “Improvements in technology have allowed furniture to not escalate in price like other things.
“What’s changed is consolidation. There are many fewer furniture manufacturers than there were years ago.”
Davidson said the store’s membership in a large buying group called Furniture First has been instrumental in keeping its prices competitive while still offering a large selection of merchandise.
Composed of nearly 400 independent furniture stores across the United States, Furniture First negotiates prices with manufacturers, allowing the “little guy” to get access to the lowest wholesale pricing without having to buy in huge quantities.
“I am a small furniture store in a small town. I am not a Raymour & Flanigan. I am not a giant chain. I am an independent. I have to be very careful about what I buy and how I buy,” Davidson said.
Out of necessity, Davidson’s has embraced the internet age and the art of social media promotion. The Facebook page is a must-follow for the latest of new merchandise, deals and promotions.
“That’s your front door,” Davidson said of the store’s online presence.
Asked if he can imagine his dad asking a customer to post a positive review on Google, Davidson responded, “No. No. I have a hard time doing it.
“(But) that’s how people find you today. They don’t go to the Yellow Pages. They go online and look up furniture stores near me. Good Google reviews get you up the ladder. Then they go to your online site and look at you.
“The advantage I have is I’m very easy to find. You pull up out front, walk in the front door and sit on a sofa instead of looking at a picture. You can lay down on a mattress instead of looking at a picture.”
Pullman, Davidson ‘wing it’ for TV commercial
Of course when it comes to advertising, it doesn’t hurt to have nurtured a life-long friendship with a Hollywood superstar.
Davidson and screen legend Bill Pullman grew up in the same Hornell neighborhood, with the Davidson family living on Adsit Place and the Pullmans growing up on Main Street.
“His mother was a nurse, and my grandmother was a nurse, and they were friends,” Davidson said.
The two chums “co-starred” in a television commercial for the store a couple years ago. They shot the 30-second spot while Pullman was in town for a YMCA fundraiser.
“I said, ‘Hey, Bill, would you do me a favor? I want to do a commercial.’ So he said yes,” Davidson said.
“He came in. I had a script, and he said, ‘We don’t need that. We’ll just wing it.’ So we just did it off the cuff.”
How Davidson’s Furniture is celebrating 150 years in business
Davidson’s webpage calls the store “your furniture family since 1876.”
Buckley said Davidson’s has stood the test of time because of its strong connection to the Hornell community and its commitment to great service.
“Davidson’s Furniture reaching 150 years in business is a remarkable milestone and something our entire community can take pride in,” Buckley said. “For generations, Davidson’s has been a steady presence in Hornell. It is a place many of us have grown up with, and it has played a role in countless homes and family stories over the years.”
One of the ways Davidson’s is acknowledging the accomplishment is with a large 150 years banner in the store’s front window.
For all of 2026, everybody who walks through the door receives a yardstick, a commemorative item that connects the present-day business to its founder who also gave away yardsticks to customers.
Yardsticks were important because carpeting was sold by the yard.
Running a small business is serious work. Celebrating 150 years of success is easier.
“Throughout the year, we’ll do specials on furniture, mattresses, it will be ongoing,” Davidson said. “We are going to play it up and have fun with it.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: How ‘Four Outlaws’ led Davidson’s Furniture into Hornell history books
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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