HISTORY OF EMW CARPETS AND FURNITURE

EMW Carpets and Furniture had a very modest beginning.  The founder, Englebert H. Wagenblast, began selling carpets in 1922.  He had an office  in downtown Denver called The Colorado Carpet Co. where he kept carpet samples. Around 1925 he and his wife Elizabeth Mary Wagenblast (EMW) bought a little house on south Broadway.  Elizabeth would count the cars going by on Broadway and was convinced it would be a good place from which to do business.  They closed the downtown office and began selling  rugs from the front porch.  They bought their first 57  rugs at a bargain price.  Elizabeth always remembered the number of rugs because she personally carried them all into the house.

In 1928 they built on to the house and re-named it EMW after Elizabeth.  They worked together and continued to add on.  The store was open from 8:a.m. to 10:00 p.m. but.  If a customer rang the bell they would unlock the door and sell merchandise.  It was a cash and carry operation.   During World War II they started closing the store on Sundays.

As time went on they extended the inventory to furniture and household goods.  Ellizabeth kept the books and did the cleaning.   Englebert did the buying and selling.  Eventually they bought a truck for deliveries.  Jack died in 1956 and Elizabeth, who by that time was known as “Grandma W”, kept things going.