Business Q&A: Patio & Fireplaces

In the myriad array of businesses that populate the Bellmore landscape, one category that has remained conspicuously absent has just been filled- an establishment that sells both outdoor furniture and electric fireplaces.

What is this new business you ask? It’s none other than the aptly-named Patio and Fireplaces, located at 421 Sunrise Highway, which opened at the end of  February.

Owner Celsa MacDonald spoke to Patch about what it’s like to be the newest business on the Bellmore block.

Tell us about what you do there at Patio and Fireplaces.

We sell aluminum and wicker furniture for outdoors. We also do a lot of cushion replacements, custom cushions, re-upholstery and repair, and window treatments.

We also do electric fireplaces that you can just blend into your home. We have stand-alone fireplaces that just go against the wall, or media consoles that you can put your television and all your DVDs on as well. The fireplaces are electric, with a realistic fire log in it. They’re imported from Canada.

How did you get into this type of business?

Previously, I did banking and finance in Bellmore many years ago. I met my husband in 1993, and he was involved in a home furnishing business at that time. We started a business together, and we eventually expanded to Route 110 in Farmingdale and Long Beach. I just really enjoyed working with colors and designing, helping customers...I love it to this day. I like people.

So, eventually you closed the Farmingdale and Long Beach locations and moved the operation to Bellmore. Why?

We had too many businesses that were similar to what we were doing on Route 110...it had become too competitive. Also, we couldn’t support the rent we were incurring at that time, with everyone around us doing the same thing that we were. When we first opened, no one was doing what we did.

Are you a very customer-service driven business?

Yes. We are a family-owned business, and we do service for a lot of people. We deliver, if there’s anything we don’t have in stock and they need to back-order their furniture and they have a party, we’ll let them borrow our furniture so they have something. We always try to accommodate our customers. We’re all a family.

What do you like about owning and operating a business in the Bellmore area?

I love Bellmore. I started in Bellmore when I first came to this country from the Philippines...my first job was right there on Bellmore Avenue Bank, which is now Ridgewood Savings Bank. I like the fact that people in Bellmore support local businesses and that they’re warm and they’re very welcoming.