We are very excited to announce that we are now beginning to celebrate our fifty year anniversary. At El Dorado Furniture, family means everything and being at work feels like home. We can proudly say that our employees feel appreciated and continue to work hard and stay positive in return.

While this has not always been an easy journey, the result has been a blessed one.

Let's go back in time to the 1950s to explore our beginning.

Simon Capó was part of one of the largest furniture chain stores in Cuba. As you may know, the Castro regime rose to power in Cuba in 1959, so all private businesses were taken over.

Manuel Capó, Simon's son, decided that in order to pursue an improved life for him and his family, he needed to flee to the United States. In 1966, he traveled with two of his sons Luis and Carlos on a 24 foot wooden sailboat named "El Dorado" that originally took three years to fix, as it was half sunken. They managed to use a water pump and hide a tank of gasoline.

Just seven months later, they opened their first furniture store on Calle Ocho, which was named "El Dorado Furniture" in honor of the boat that gave them the opportunity to follow their American Dream through hard work and success.

A 1962 Chevy Impala Station Wagon, the company's first delivery "truck."

1970s- The store continues to grow with demand and an increase in inventory.

In 1973, the company receives its first official truck. Pictured here are Robert and Jesús René Capó, future members of the board of directors.

1980s- The Capó family continues to grow in size and value. Many family members continue to work at El Dorado Furniture.

1990s- El Dorado Furniture's distribution center opens at the Palmetto location.

In 1999, Manuel Capó accepts the award for El Dorado Furnitureas Retailer of the Year.

2000s- Pictured here in 2008 are Manuel and Aida Capó with their sons who make up the current board of directors. The next year, SW 25th Avenue was renamed as Manolo Capó Way in honor of Manuel. This intersection is located where their first store is.

In 2010, Manuel was inducted into the Furniture Industry Hall of Fame by the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation.

Fast forward almost fifty years later and core values in the company remain constant today as a family-oriented workplace. Some of these values include honesty, development, happiness, and learning, which help each employee grow into the best version of themselves. Manuel believed that having humility, a friendly smile, making everyone feel appreciated and having respect for customers' needs and time, are characteristics that companies look for in new employees.

Manuel's sons are part of the board of directors, while their children work throughout the company as well. Since it is a family-owned company, there is a special touch when it comes to the employee-employer relationship at El Dorado. Everyone is treated like family and not just a number. The Capós visit every store and personalize relationships with employees in various departments.

El Dorado Furniture has expanded into twelve store locations and two outlets, as they remain one of the top fifty furniture retailers in the country. What's even more noteworthy is that the Capó family has followed the essence of the American Dream by becoming the largest Hispanic owned furniture retail enterprise in the United States. The company also created a unique experience by introducing El Dorado Boulevard, a new concept that allows customers to walk through the showrooms in a setting that resembles a street in a big city. Each "room" is separated into different furniture styles.

Luis, one of Manuel's sons, explains what his father always said about the American Dream: "This is the world's largest country, which offers more opportunities. With our experience, our knowledge, our passion and desire to succeed, combined with advances, facilities, and new technology, the sky is the limit."

Let's celebrate the first 50 years of El Dorado Furniture, with hard working employees and loyal customers.

If you would like to share your favorite memories or thoughts with El Dorado Furniture, tag us in a post on social media or use our brand new hashtag #EDF50. Stay tuned for more events to come.