Fenker's Home Furnishings and Gifts- About Us

History | The Fenker's Staff

At Fenker’s Home Furnishings & Gifts, we offer quality home furnishings for every room of your home. Whether you’re looking for bedroom furniture or bedding, maybe even a lamp or accessories, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Fenker’s. For your living room, dining room, den, bar, or sunroom, you’ll find quality name-brand home furnishings and accessories from the names you can trust.

With quality products from Ashley, Bassett, Hooker, Kincaid, La-Z-Boy, Leathercraft, Lexington, Lloyd Flanders, Pulaski, Seth Thomas, Simmons, South Sea Rattan, Tempur-pedic, and others, you’ll surely find the home furnishings, accessories, and gifts you need to make your home – HOME!

And you can trust Fenker’s too. We’ve been in business for over 100 years – and are here to stay.

We’ve served many generations of families over the years. Our products, prices and service are why people return again and again.

You’ll find our added services to be advantageous as well. Whether it’s our delivery service, clock repair, or design services, the Fenker’s staff is always here with friendly and helpful advice and recommendations. And our financing options make it easy for you to enjoy that new look in your home too!

Our Family to Yours – Since 1903
Fenker’s Home Furnishings & Gifts

Paul G. Fenker and Allison Fenker Hertges


J.L. Fred Fenker Founder & Manager 1903 - 1931	Arthur Fenker Second Generation 1932 - March 14, 1980	Paul G. Fenker Third Generation 1963 - Present	Allison Fenker Hertges Fourth Generation 1993 - Present

1st Location at 709-711 Main Street
(Now Lincolnway) Presently Antique Junction Mall

1923 Reo Speedwagon

In 1903, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company, Harley-Davidson wheeled out their first motorcycle, children started coloring with Crayola Crayons, Wilbur & Orville Wright took their first flight, and Fenker & Company sold their first piece of furniture.

Founded by J. L. Fred Fenker, the business has been an important retail establishment in LaPorte for over 100 years. Together with Robert Buck, Fenker announced they had purchased a furniture store, then owned by W. O. Nanscawen. They opened for business on April 3, 1903 as Fenker & Company at what is now 709 Lincolnway.

In 1909, Fred Fenker continued the business as a sole proprietor at 717 Michigan Avenue. A year later, Fenker’s Furniture moved to larger quarters at what is now 523-525 Lincolnway, where it remained until 1925.

In September 1925, the present two-and-one-half story building at 1114-16 Lincolnway was completed, and the business relocated. Fenker’s continues to operate at this location to this day.

In 1932, Art Fenker joined the business during the most difficult of times – The Great Depression. Providing quality products and service, Fenker’s made it through this trying period.

In 1963, current owner Paul Fenker joined the business. In 1993, his daughter, Allison Fenker Hertges, graduated from Indiana University and joined the business. Paul and Allison run the business together today.

For over 100 years and through four generations, Fenker’s has made itself a family owned and operated business which has been helping fine folks just like you enjoy better living with fine furniture, accessories, gifts -- and unparalleled service.

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The Fenker’s Staff


Paul G. Fenker Owner & Manager Joined Fenker's in 1963	Scott Draves Sales and Warehouse Manager Joined Fenker’s in 1985	Allison Fenker Hertges Sales and Design Consultant (Over 10 years of design experience) Joined Fenker’s in 1993	Debbie Heath Sales and Design Consultant (over 8 years of design experience) Joined Fenker’s in 2004	Beth Lehker Bookkeeper

Barbara Payne Secretary

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1114 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350 | Phone 219.362.3538

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