Views from the Shore
One of the benefits of being a member of the Somers Point Business Association is the opportunity to promote your business through Shore Local. Recently, I received an email from Steve Wade, owner of Office Concepts in EHT. Attached was a flyer announcing a liquidation sale. As Marketing Chair for the SPBA, I see plenty of promotions from our members, but something told me there was probably more to this story than just a sale.
I was right.
When Steve and I spoke, it became clear that this wasn’t just about selling office furniture. It was about a local business owner who has spent more than 40 years adapting to changing times. He’s weathered economic downturns, shifting workplace trends, and the pandemic. Now, he’s transitioning Office Concepts to a remote business model focused on commercial and government clients while liquidating his showroom inventory.
That creates a unique opportunity for shoppers.
Office Concepts is offering pre-owned office furniture at half price and new showroom floor models at cost. The sale includes desks, office chairs, filing cabinets, conference furniture, bookcases, and other office essentials. Whether you’re outfitting a business or finally creating that home office you’ve been putting off, the savings are substantial.
As Steve described his business, it became clear that customer service has always been his biggest selling point. He told me people don’t simply need office furniture. They often need someone to help them choose the right furniture and make the best use of their available space.
That’s especially true for home offices. Steve said many of his recent customers are remote workers looking to transform a spare bedroom or den into a comfortable, productive workspace. Customers can even bring room dimensions or photos, and he’ll create a simple computer layout to help determine what furniture fits best before they make a purchase. It’s the kind of personalized service that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find.
His advice also extends to ergonomics. After years of helping businesses furnish their offices, Steve has learned that the best office chair isn’t necessarily the most expensive one. It’s the one that properly fits the person sitting in it. That personalized guidance is something customers rarely find at large office supply chains.
Even during a liquidation sale, Steve’s philosophy hasn’t changed. He still believes in taking care of customers long after they walk out the door, a mindset that has helped sustain his business for more than four decades.
The inventory changes regularly, so Steve recommends calling or emailing before stopping by. He can let customers know if he has what they’re looking for and save everyone a trip. Whether you’re looking for a single desk, an ergonomic chair, or enough furniture to outfit an entire office, this may be one of those opportunities that’s worth acting on before it’s gone.
For more information, contact Office Concepts, 6422 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, by calling 609-569-9191 or emailing SteveW@office-concepts.com. The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, by appointment only.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University, and is a founding member of Somers Point-Community First, a local volunteer organization
