STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Furniture Restoration Workshop (FRW) is saying goodbye to the Staten Island community. It will mark the end of this 48-year run that defines owners Matthew and Nina Long’s lives.
On Sunday, April 3, they are selling everything in the shop at 1550 Richmond Terrace. The building has been sold, and everything must go.
Watching his father run his own home improvement business and spending his youth working carpentry, Long decided to start a furniture restoration business in a small warehouse/garage in West Brighton, aptly named “The Furniture Restoration Workshop.” As the business grew, he moved into 1550 Richmond Terrace in 1986. The work evolved into a successful business and took a turn towards commercial work with high profile companies such as; the Jewish Division Reading Room at the 42nd Street Library, Radio City, and the Federal Reserve Bank.
Over 48 years, Long has given hope to many that may have seemed unemployable in our community. He took in and trained people with criminal records, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, and countless people who would have fallen through the cracks that made a life under his care and employment.
“My best memories of these 48 years of ups and downs are the friends I’ve made, the people who helped me along the way, clients out there whose respect I have earned, the times I was able to help people either through employment or through my work, and of the thousand stories I could tell, said Long.
“Most importantly, of course, for the incredible support of my wife Nina, who I relied on for intelligent advice and direction. I’ll miss this magnificent building. I was always proud that every day I got to create something. I hope I can keep that up. I’m thinking of learning to sculpt sand,” Long added.
Furniture Restoration Workshop (FRW) will still be taking on minimal restoration projects in New York City in a limited capacity, according to Long.
As you may know, Long has already had quite a career in sand sculpting and castle building. That will continue to be one of the things he will focus on.
Below is a photo gallery of some of the items “priced to sell” at the shop Sunday, April 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After 48 years Matthew Long says goodbye to 1550 Richmond Terrace, FRW, LLC, along with all the items inside for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
A drill press for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
A set of designer potatochip chairs, for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Tools of the trade for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Various sizes of marbles for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Plate glass suction cup carriers, for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Lots of items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
This extension ladder for $100 is for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
A pair of gold leafed wooden signs. (Staten island Advance)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Some tools of the trade for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
A table saw is for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
There are a few of these wet-vacs for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
One of the items for sale this Sunday, April 3, 2022 at FRW, 1550 Richmond Terrace. Come by starting at 8 am to purchase something from the shop and to say so long. The doors will close around 4pm. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Matt Long carved Coney Island sand back in 2016, and thats what he will look forward to doing more of. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)
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