One of the province’s most iconic businesses is celebrating a major milestone today.

Cohen’s Home Furnishings is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary.

Cohen’s started out as a general store in what was then known as Grand Falls Station – later known as Windsor -at the end of the First World War. It was established by Simon Cohen who came to Newfoundland with his wife and two children.

Cohen and his family emigrated to the US where he tried to start up a business, but they came back to Newfoundland in 1919 where they started their general store.

The business was passed down through the family until the 1980s when the Bell family took over. They’ve been running the business ever since.

President and Co-owner of Cohen’s Home Furnishings, Ruth Bell Steinhauer, says they have their dedicated customers and staff to thank for their continued success.

They employ 100 people, some of whom have been with the company for as long as 40 years. Brian Hann started out repairing appliances as an 18-year-old and worked his way up to customer service, managing the Grand Falls-Windsor store. He is now director of sales.

The company has expanded to include 12 corporate and two franchise stores in the province.