Adding a touch of style

Adding a touch of style

Tammara Green/writer@qvpr.com
May 26, 2011

Tammara Green/Post-Register

Matt Bergerud has returned to start a business in Quincy.

Matt Bergerud grew up in the Quincy Valley and has at last found his way home.

He left town to attend the University of Washington in 1980, and then transferred to Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, where he got a degree in fashion merchandising. Bergerud enjoyed putting different things together and arranging them to make eye-popping displays.

He was eventually hired on at the Bon Marche as a Christmas season hire, and stayed with the company as he was rotated through the different locations in the Puget Sound area, including Alderwood Mall, Northgate, and Bellevue Mall. Bergerud had a flair for his work and was promoted to a position as the Senior Visual Liason for Bon Marche. As the company changed over to what is now Macy’s, Bergerud was responsible for the new facelift for the Meir and Frank stores in Oregon, which are also now Macy’s.

After the company changed hands, Bergerud decided it was time for a change as well, and returned to Quincy. Eventually he started helping out at Barb’s Place, arranging displays and helping out when he could. In March of 2010, Barb offered Bergerud the opportunity to open his own home furnishings department. Bergerud has been busy keeping all of his items in stock, such as throw pillows, lamps, accent furniture, pottery, and knit throws. He is devoted to the store six days out of the week.

“I like to be there. It’s fun working with Barb. I could not have done this without her help,” said Bergerud.

When he is not working, he loves to be on the river on a boat, and plays bridge at the Quincy Senior Center. He also enjoys spending time with family, and being surrounded by people in Quincy who care about his family, he says, makes all the difference. The support of locals, friends, and family was especially important to him with the recent passing of his father, and Bergerud realized how great living in a small community was. The support for Bergerud has not ended there, as his new home store at Barb’s was warmly received.

“I want to thank everyone who made this a positive experience,” said Bergerud.