Cornerstone Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Ted Drabik always knew he wanted to be a businessman.

So, after graduating from James Madison University in 1986, he wasted no time in opening Cornerstone, which specializes in home furnishings, at an antique mall near Washington, D.C. The store is now located in Timonium. 

"My dad used to say all the money is in Washington," said Drabik, a 47-year-old resident of York, PA.

Drabik's heart was in business management, but it was his dad's "furniture hobby" that inspired him to pursue a career in home furnishings.

"He used to go to auctions, buy furniture, take it apart and put it back together," Drabik said. "He knew all the dealers and the buying habits of other furniture consumers."

And after graduating with a business degree, Dabrik, who had $2,700 in savings, spent $800 on an old pick-up truck and invested the rest in Cornerstone.

"When you're young is the time to [start a business]," he said. "I had nothing to lose. As you get more successful, you have to worry about payroll, rent, staying on top."

As his business expanded, Drabik decided to relocate to a storefront in Sparks in the fall of 1987. At the time, he focused on antique pieces from the Victorian era to the 1930s. But, when his landlord sold the property, Drabik moved his business to Timonium, where it has been since 2000.

"We needed to move where the foot traffic is," he said. "And it worked right away."

The change in location also brought about a change in the business model. Drabik soon began providing consignment furnishings, from any time period, provided they are in good condition. Later on, he even started offering new, custom-made pieces.

"Our basic customer is not someone just looking for antiques, but someone looking to furnish their place," he said. "Our trick is to offer really nice pieces in good condition at a fair price."

But it wasn't always easy for . When the economy took a turn for the worse, the business struggled to stay afloat.

"2009 was a rough year for us. Everyone stopped buying," Drabik said. "We had to do what everyone else was doing and work harder. The employees did more than it was their regular job to do."

The efforts paid off, and Drabik, a father to four daughters, is proud as he reflects on Cornerstone's 25 years in business.

"I feel blessed," he said. "The true accomplishment is being able to balance the business and my family life."

But Drabik does have one regret.

"I wish I liked vases" instead of furniture, he said. "They weigh less."