This year marks Lewis Baer’s 50th year working at Newel!
In honor of this huge milestone, we interviewed the Managing Principal himself to discuss his experiences and what it’s like to run a 4th generation family owned business.
Q
Tell me a little bit about your history growing up
with the family business.
A.
I grew up in Ardmore, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia and we lived in a house that was decorated with antiques that my grandparents gave to my parents. My father was a dentist who collected art of all periods and all the walls were filled with his purchases. At least once a month my sister and I would take the train to NYC and visit my grandparents. On Saturday mornings we would go to the store because they had to fill rental orders, and in the evening, we would always go to a Broadway show where Newel had supplied the furniture and furnishing.
Q
After you graduated from college you started your career at an accounting firm. Why did you decide to pursue something other than the family business?
A.
I graduated from Lehigh University with an accounting degree because I thought it was a foundational skill that would lend itself to any business that I might eventually want to pursue. As electives, I took advanced accounting and business courses, and never contemplated taking courses in the arts.
Q
How did you get started at Newel?
A.
I got my first taste of Newel when my grandparents gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, work at Newel for the summer (of 1969) while they went to Europe on their annual buying trip and have use of their apartment for that time, as well as pay me. I definitely needed the money for college expenses, and they extended that offer to work on all my vacations and semester breaks. It was also the summer of Woodstock and I regrettably decided that I was not going to go to it out of my commitment and appreciation for having the job.
Q
Have you ever considered a major change from working at Newel and if so, what kept you here?
A.
When I started working full time at Newel, I thought that I should get more exposure to the art and antiques industry and not just from my part time experiences with Newel. I interviewed for a position at Sotheby’s, but they offered me a position in their LA offices, which they were trying to develop. I passed on that and decided that the learning curve in this industry was about getting out and going to auctions, dealers, and museums, as well as listening and learning from the many talented interior decorators and set designers who were Newel clients. The resources of Newel were also very compelling, a massive, diverse inventory with unlimited potential.
Q
Since taking over Newel from your uncle in 2001, what are some of the biggest changes you made to the business?
A.
The biggest changes were the challenges of a changing industry. From the time I bought the business, my accounting skills were never more important in financing the purchase and in dealing with the dramatic downturn trend in taste for antiques. It required a keen sense of buying the right type of inventory for a changing market, with 20th Century items slowly overtaking traditional antique style. With Newel’s diversity, we were able to make the transition while many dealers who were specialists in certain periods could not. Perhaps the biggest decision was to sell our iconic 53rd Street building and make the move to a showroom on 61st Street for selling and take a massive warehouse space in Long island City to accommodate the bulk of the inventory and the rental side of the business.
Q
What do you consider to be your career highlight?
A.
Certainly, the move out of 53rd Street, but from an operational point of view, I think developing a proprietary database and computer system to manage the inventory and subsequent website in the mid 1990’s were foundational for the future of the business. However, taking a family business into the 3rd generation was a challenge that has now been successfully fulfilled with 2 family members, Jake and Gabriella now representing the 4th generation. That is quite an achievement when statistically over 98% of family business never make it past the 3rd generation.
Q
What was your biggest career obstacle and how did you overcome it?
A.
Coming into the antiques industry from the accounting world was a big concern, as I had a limited understanding of the knowledge required to buy and sell inventory. Oddly, I took some beginner courses at New York School of Interior Design and realized that during the summers and vacations that I worked at Newel I had absorbed more information and knowledge of periods and styles than I realized. Perhaps the desire to learn more about the infinite possibilities of the design, periods, and history of these items that I had to deal with on a daily will always be, for me a work in progress. I’ve always been a voracious reader of history and non-fiction; antiques are three dimensional versions of my passion to understand the past.
Q
What is your most memorable sale so far in your career?
A.
That’s a tough question because every sale just like ever purchase has a unique story of where a piece is purchased and to whom it is sold. I enjoy telling our staff where and when we acquired an item. From selling a pair of astral lamps to the White House, while in college, and seeing them every time President Richard Nixon spoke from the Oval Office, to finding the Normandie Grand Salon lacquered panels in a warehouse in Paris that were sold to a museum, there are fantastic stories for every sale.
Q
What career advice would you give your 20-year old self?
A.
As a 20-year old back in 1970, I’d say learn and experience as much as you can about the world around you and the diversity of people you encounter. My career path of starting in one direction and ending in another tells me that goals can evolve; never feel that you can’t try to take a chance.
Q
What is your favorite Newel piece?
A.
I can’t say that there could ever be a “favorite” piece. The list would be endless; I’ve learned to love all periods and appreciate everything from an Art Deco Lalique perfume bottle to an English Regency Chinoiserie lacquered armoire. That’s what makes working here so special; the scope and exposure to the past and present of designed furniture and furnishing is unlimited and I can’t wait to see my newest “favorite” find.
3 Comments
MATTHEW L FISHMAN
Congrats Uncle Lewis. Love the interview and your answers. 50 years is impressive!
Bill Bensten
Lewis
Ran across this on a rare visit to Facebook.
Great stuff; congratulations. If you find yourself in the DC area, please look us up.
BTW, my mom is hanging in there at 96 but just barely. Hope your mom is doing well.
I am sure they have lost touch since my mother is so limited at this point
Regards
Bill
Marilyn Landau
I was so happy to see your comment! I called your mom awhile ago nod was told she couldn’t speak but could hear my message. I called today and found the phone disconnected. I fear the worst and a very saddened. Lea was the Finest Lady l ever knew in my 92 years. She was so proud of you and your family,and I loved hearing about you.
Janie’s daughter lives in Bethesda her husband manages the Trump Hotel in DC his name is Michael (Micky) Damelincourt,stop in if you have a chance and meet him. Fond memories,
Marilyn