Founded by John J. and Emily Farrey in 1924, Farrey’s is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. From its humble beginnings in Miami as a small general store that sold hardware, linens, lighting, china, fishing gear, and other home products, Farrey’s has upheld its commitment to being a trusted source of unique, superior offerings and unmatched expert services.
This family-owned business – with showrooms in North Miami and Coconut Grove – has been a leading provider of products, technical resources, and services for lighting, bath, kitchen, and hardware projects and counts homeowners, architects, interior designers, residential contractors, plumbers, and electricians among its clientele.
A testament to the Farrey’s rich history in the Miami-Dade community, after the 1926 hurricane, John J. Farrey was appointed chief building inspector of Miami Beach, with a mandate to craft a building code to prevent that level of structural damage from occurring again. This historic document was later recognized as the first South Florida Building Code.
In the 1960s, the third generation joined the family business: Bud Farrey became Chairman and President; while Frank Farrey assumed the roles of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Together, they guided the business through continuous expansion over the ensuing decades, demonstrating adaptability and growth with the times.
Today, the fourth generation of the Farrey family continues that legacy of service with the largest product selection and in-stock inventory of its kind in South Florida. With more than 25,000 in stock SKUs and two 30,000-sq.-ft. showrooms — one in North Miami, built in 1980, and one in Coconut Grove, built in 2002 — the company has evolved to serve the demand for luxury products.
“Running a business that has been around for 100 years is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to excellence,” says Bud Farrey, CEO of Farrey’s Lighting, Bath, Kitchen and Hardware. “It’s about embracing change, staying attuned to customer needs and upholding values that withstand the test of time, along with a strong team of associates that have, over the years, delivered on our brand promise. The journey of a centennial business reflects not just longevity, but a legacy built on enduring principles and a dedication to meeting and exceeding expectations.”
The area’s rapid residential growth and the influx of new homes, condominiums, and mixed-use developments continue to increase lighting, bath, kitchen and decorative hardware needs, which Farrey’s highly trained, multilingual consultants fulfill. These consultants pride themselves on their unique wealth of knowledge and take part in ongoing training and certifications to stay ahead of industry trends. Friendly and approachable, they understand clients’ aspirations and can expertly read plans/drawings, conduct onsite visits and provide problem-solving solutions, regardless of style preference and budget.
With a philosophy that client satisfaction is the most meaningful measure of success, Farrey’s caters to year-round residents as well as second homeowners. Since customers hail from around the globe, Farrey’s ships throughout the U.S. and worldwide.
“We’re honored to reach this remarkable milestone of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Farrey’s legacy,” remarks Bud Farrey. “It’s been a pleasure to serve our community as we’ve continued to grow and maintain the trust of our customers over the years. This anniversary is an important reminder of our commitment to our company heritage while embracing the future, as we remain dedicated to providing exceptional products and services.”