Lloyd Silverman of Lloyd's Furniture leaves Somerville board

SOMERVILLE — Lloyd Silverman has watched not only his business, Lloyd's Furniture, grow and change in the 59 years since its founding, but also the evolution of the borough it has always called home.

"Somerville is a great town, I've always enjoyed every part of it, and I was satisfied to stay right here," Silverman said recently.

Silverman, 88, stepped down from the Somerville District Management Corporation (DMC) Board of Trustees in June. The DMC was formed in 1988 to oversee a Special Improvement District in the borough's downtown. Property owners in that area pay a special assessment that helps fund the organization's work.

DMC Board member Rich Reitman said Silverman joined the panel shortly after it formed. He said Silverman provided an unmatched historical perspective.

"Lloyd Silverman was on Main Street for 50 years, so he was witness to all of the evolutions of Main Street and he provided a lot of insight as we were making progress and making the big decisions about streetscape and things like that," Reitman said.

The Branchburg resident is best known for Lloyd's Furniture, which he started with his late wife of 61 years, Marjorie. Once an unpainted Furniture business, the diverse shop at 130 W. Main St. boasts new and vintage offerings from England, France and domestic locations. There is also Lloyd's French Shop next door on Davenport Street, and Lloyd's Antiques & Finds in Readington. Silverman's son, Jeff Silverman, is now president of the company and runs the business, but Silverman still works in the office five days a week.

"I just get a lot of kicks out of being in business, and having the trials and tribulations," Silverman said.

Silverman's family moved to the Somerville area from St. Louis in the 1936, with his father going into business in Manville.

"At that time, Somerville was a great Main Street. We had all kinds of retail," Silverman said, remembering farmers coming into town to shop and busy Saturday nights when stores would stay open until 10 p.m.