Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, ChicagoHouse mark 25 years

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams—whose names have become a brand—make a dynamic duo. Twenty-five years ago, the two started a home furnishing company with an investment of $60,000 that has now grown into over $125 million in 20 locations. More stores are on the way in St. Louis, the Miami Design District and Georgia. There are plans by next year to open a store in Oak Brook, Illinois, and are headquartered in Taylorsville, North Carolina.

Windy City Times talked with the team (and GLAAD Media Award winners) before their celebratory event at the storefront at 1555 N. Halsted St. on Sept. 10. Gold and Williams joined Chicago House for its own 25th anniversary to come together and raise money for the worthy cause.

Gold and Williams spoke of humble beginnings and how gay rights changed for them during their work in conservative North Carolina. “It was hard for the community to dislike us after giving so much to employees over the years with benefits and hiring so many people” said Gold.

Gold is also a co-creator of Faith in America, an organization fighting bigotry and prejudice toward the LGBT community. “It has taken some time but groups like HRC now realize they need to have faith programs and talk about this. We have to get churches to stop teaching that homosexuality is a sin,” he said.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will be part of the set of the hit CBS show The Good Wife. Also, the owners’ recent coffee table book Who We Are gives an insiders look into their lives and recipes for success.

Visit www.mgbwhome.com.