It all began in 1954 as a used furniture store known as “Ali Baba’s Cave” at 17th & R Streets, N.W. in Washington D.C. in a space roughly the size of an apartment. After one year of operations and a spontaneous trip to High Point, North Carolina to learn about the “new furniture” business, Marlo (named after Marilyn and Lou) Furniture was born on 14th Street, NW.

For the next 7 years, Lou worked 364 days a year – with time off for Christmas – becoming a student of his own business and earning a self-taught degree in buying, merchandising, display, marketing, advertising, store operations, systems, labor and legal issues, and everything else involving Marlo Furniture.

From 1955 to 1970,Marlo Furniture gained the respect, trust and confidence of the largest domestic furniture manufacturers and local bankers, government officials, local newspapers and radio stations, and real estate developers. These relationships enabled Lou to expand the line of products and purchase large close-outs of furniture in order to compete effectively against much larger competitors, as well as obtain credit to expand the business, allowing Marlo to prosper and establish itself as a nation’s capital area icon.

In 1972, Lou risked his 19 years of hard work and gambled millions of dollars to build the first of several huge warehouse-showrooms, to position themselves against Levitz Furniture and other national, regional and local competitors. Lou prospered and grew by advertising, merchandising and operating better and working harder than the competition.

All the hard work paid off. Today, Marlo Furniture is the largest furniture retailer in the Washington, D.C. area and one of America’s top 70 furniture retailers with four warehouses totaling over 800,000 sq. ft. and over 400 employees, and will continue to expand and grow with plans for new showrooms throughout the area.

While Lou and Marlo’s success is gratifying, the greatest source of pride comes from Marlo’s role as a pillar in the communities in which it serves. Since the beginning, both in their personal involvement and activities, and under the umbrella of Marlo Furniture and the Glickfield Family Foundation, Lou and Marilyn have shared the fruits of their accomplishments through continuing support of worthwhile charities and organizations throughout the nation’s capital area and beyond.

Lou and Marilyn have 4 children and 5 grandchildren, whose growth and development have enriched their lives and been a source of great pride. Oldest son Neal runs the Marlo Furniture Company as its current President. Adam lives in Florida and has built his own real estate business. Daughter Marla devotes her time to working for Marlo Furniture and being a mother. And Cheryl has developed her own art gallery.

Today Lou splits his time between working with his family’s second generation in directing the real estate development activities of Marlo Furniture and to leisure at his winter home in Florida with Marilyn. He has discovered a new challenge to tackle – golf.