Everything Old Is New Again

Burt Hochstein, CEO

When I took over OFS 20 years ago, our warehouse was filled with nearly 10,000 square feet of beautiful, traditional furniture—desks, credenzas, file cabinets—sourced from liquidations of Fortune 500 companies. I thought we had struck gold! Selling these pieces seemed like a breeze with online listings (a relatively new method back then), local ads, and flyers. Fast forward a year, and we ended up discarding almost every single piece. As stunning as they were, the styles had simply changed.

Today, I find myself reflecting on that experience. Recently, OFS was tasked with liquidating a company’s collection of outdated furniture. We quickly realized that many of these pieces could end up as waste—an unfortunate loss of craftsmanship and a missed opportunity for sustainability. That’s when one of my team members had a brilliant idea: Why not offer them to a movie studio? They were on the hunt for traditional furniture for upcoming productions and were thrilled with our find. “One man’s garbage” indeed!

So while traditional furniture may not meet your current or future needs, OFS is constantly involved in liquidations. Perhaps pre-owned workstations, high-end ergonomic chairs, or different style desks would work perfectly for your new or redesigned office. Our inventory is always changing.

This story highlights an important lesson: innovation often lies in reimagining the value of what already exists. As Peter Allen famously said, “Everything Old is New Again.” At OFS, we’re committed to finding creative solutions and adding value, even in unexpected places.

By embracing this mindset, we not only contribute to sustainability but also celebrate the timeless beauty of craftsmanship. So next time you come across something that seems outdated, remember: it might just be waiting for a new purpose.