J & M Interiors and Design to close doors after 45 years

ELYRIA — A family-owned and operated business will be saying goodbye next month after being open for decades. In a Feb. 15 post to Facebook, J & M Interiors and Design announced it would be closing its doors, thanking its longtime customers and the community. "After 45 years in business, J & M Interiors will be closing its doors at the end of March 2022. It has truly been a joy and honor serving this community. Thank you for inviting us into your homes and allowing us to be a part of creating the spaces you love," the post said. Joe and Mary Tornabene opened J & M Upholstery and Drapery on Broadway in downtown Lorain in 1977. The couple renamed their business to J & M Interiors and Design in the 1980s when they moved to Griswold Road in Elyria where were open for 22 years before moving in 2008 to their present location on Griswold. Specializing in furniture, custom window treatments, home décor and full-scale interior design, shifts in the industry and ongoing supply chain issues encouraged the couple to move in a different direction in closing the business and transition to a new journey. "With the whole supply chain people can't find qualified help, which mucks everything absolutely in that we get stuck with parts missing," Joe said. Joe Tornabene recalled a recent situation where they were missing the hinge pin for window blinds shutter and it took them more than three months to get the part. Their orders are going to continue being processed through much of the year and while they made it clear they weren't going out of business by any means, the extra pressure from the industry and these challenges made closing the right decision at this time. "We just we couldn't afford to keep open any longer. We don't want to hurt anybody. We want to deliver all of our clients. We want to make sure our vendors all get paid. And that's how we want to live. That's how we've been 45 years that trying to hang in there," she said. The Tornabenes thanked their clients who they described as being like family saying they've been blessed for the past 45 years. We much of their business coming from referrals, they thanked everyone who has trusted them along with their supporters including family and friends who have allowed them to thrive for so long. "We love people and that's why we do it," Mary Tornabene said. Joe Tornabene will continue in the industry by becoming a part of Budget Blinds of Amherst and Sandusky. "We're thrilled to have Joe join us at Budget Blinds of Amherst and Sandusky. His knowledge and experience aligns beautifully with our mission of serving our communities with deep rooted core values of honesty, integrity, transparency and reliability," owners Beckie and Tim Church said. "We pride ourselves on being locally owned and operated since 2019 and have been covering windows from Elyria to Port Clinton ever since." J&M Interiors and Design is holding a retirement sale with 50 percent off storewide at 619 Griswold Road. Contact Kevin Martin at (440) 329-7121 or kmartin@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinMartinCT.