Berniker Decorators Spans Four Generations

In an era of chains and franchises, there remains a local Katonah decorator business that has been family-owned and operated for four generations.

"For someone like me, being the fourth generation, you don't see many family businesses around anymore," said Scott Berniker, 33, the youngest in the family business. "We're dealing with people my father and grandfather dealt with."  

Berniker Decorators, at 274 Katonah Avenue, was started in 1914 when Louis Berniker opened a store in the Bronx. At first, he only sold fabric by the yard. But the business continued to grow. Today, the store sells a full range of drapery, upholstery, blinds and shades. It is run by Whitey and Denise Berniker and their son, Scott. 

Whitey and Denise have a daughter, Allison, who isn't involved in the business. She is an artist who divides her time between Westchester and Saratoga Springs.

"She's not involved—yet," Denise said. "Maybe someday, you never know." 

Growing up, Scott never felt pressured by his parents to join the family business. He went to college and earned a degree in public policy. But after graduating and working at a window-covering corporation in Colorado, he decided to join the business in 2003.

"I like the fact that I'm not stuck behind a desk," Scott said. "I get to meet nice people day in and day out." 

Scott and his father go together to the homes to install product and interact with the customer. Denise works in the showroom and keeps the books organized. Eventually, Scott plans to take over the business. 

Whitey, Denise and Scott are known far and wide for their exceptional service and attention to detail. While they primarily work in the tri-state area, they have worked on homes as far north as New Hampshire and as far south as Florida.  

"We want the work to be like it is our own home," Scott said. 

The economy has hit Berniker Decorators hard. 

"For our industry, people aren't spending that income anymore," Scott said. "For our whole industry, it's taken a turn for the worse."

Scott credits Berniker Decorators' 96 years in business and client relationships as seeing them through tough economic times. And he wants Katonah to remember that they're still here. 

"It's a family business. Through the whole process you deal with just the owners," he said. "We want to create relationships and walk down the street and have a conversation." 

Clients of Berniker Decorators consider them friends. 

"They crack me up, they're just wonderful," Maria Kronfeld said, a Katonah resident. Whitey and Scott did her blinds, recovered an ottoman and are making cushions for her window seat. 

"They did about every window in the house," Kronfeld said. "I'm so sad I'm not going to see them anymore, all the windows are done!"

Sandra Lombardo, another Katonah resident, was introduced to the Berniker's two years ago. Since, they've helped them with their draperies in the living room, dining room, family room and bathroom. 

"It's like dealing with an old mom and pop shop from years ago," Lombardo said. "They've actually become good friends."

As Berniker Decorators approaches their 100th year, Denise is excited for the business she married into. 

"It's wonderful," she said. "It's wonderful for Whitey, it was his grandfather who started the business."

Whitey still remembers his grandpa Louis' store in the 1950s—with the coal-power furnace and the apartment upstairs. While times have changed, he still takes the same pleasure of working alongside family that Berniker Decorators has done for four generations. 

"I am able to feel what my father felt having my son come into the business," Whitey said. "You got to keep up with the times, and roll along with it. Hopefully the economy will roll around, too."