In 2015, with the 27 year-old Jake Baer having recently taken the reigns, Newel celebrated a significant expansion, with two new locations: a 9,000-square-foot gallery and showroom in the Interior Design Building on 61st Street in Manhattan, and a 55,000-square-foot building in nearby Long Island City, the permanent home to its extended collection.
In a sit down with Mr. Baer, he discussed all things Newel, his insights into decorative arts trends, and what it’s like being a young CEO running a family business in an ever-changing market.
For the year ahead, I’m focused on growing our inventory. Newel was founded on this idea of stylistic diversity, and has since become a one-stop-shop for designers. We maintain that tradition today, and my goal is to expand it even further. There are so many amazing antiquities around the world, and I plan on obtaining the best of the best for the Newel collection.
In addition we are now poised to allow both our sales and rental operations to grow with an easier way to operate both divisions. The logistics that are now in place will allow both areas of our business to operate independently and be unencumbered by each other. Finally, we hope to expand our web presence with 1stdibs and our own newel.com website.
• Can you tell us about Long Island City facility? How did you acquire it? How big is it? Why LIC?
The move to Long Island City came on the heels of steady expansion. Our original location at 425 E 53rd Street was bursting at the seams which imposed serious space constraints on our ability to grow. Although it was bittersweet to say goodbye to our location of over 40 years, I knew that a larger facility was necessary to achieve long term growth and opportunities. Long Island City was the natural move, as the up-and-coming area is a stone’s throw away from Manhattan and the design district on the Upper East Side. Also, the new facility allows us to operate more efficiently and grow the inventory, with 55,000 square feet on one floor, with a showroom, offices, and a covered loading dock.
• What is your vision for the Long Island City facility? Educational plans? Expansion plans?
Our Long Island City facility is a big point of pride for me. I spent countless hours poring over the floor plan, devising the perfect way to organize all of the pieces in an easily navigable way. Despite a few gray hairs, I think I succeeded in creating floor grid of our collection that is manageable for our clients and operation. Going forward, we have options for additional space in the building as it become available.
Educating the next generation of collectors, interior designers, and set designers is the real challenge our industry now faces. Offering Newel to students and the general design trade as a resource and an experience of seeing and learning about all periods and styles is something that I want to encourage and promote.
• What are some of the hot items right now in the Newel collection?
Right now there is a lot of interest in our Mid-century modern pieces. From Architectural Digest to interiors blogs such as MyDomaine, you can see the Mid-century and art deco influences everywhere in today’s design. However, we are now seeing a trend to “mix it up” with stylish, sophisticated period pieces. With understated elegance, these pieces really complement the NYC urbanite.
• What are some of the fondest memories you have of growing up in Newel business? Experiences collecting, learning the tricks of the trades, etc – Anything memorable for this feature?
For me, Newel is synonymous with my childhood. Some of my earliest memories include playing hide-and-go-seek with my older brother through the labyrinthine rows of antiques. As I got older, it became more and more apparent that working for Newel was my future – so that meant college summers were spent learning every aspect of the trade. One summer was spent learning the art of carpentry, the next restoration. Growing up in Newel taught me not only a deep appreciation of the business, but also a desire to learn even more every day. It gave me the passion I have today.
• What do you do in personal life that helps make running Newel easier? Any extracurricular activities or groups you’re involved with?
Since Newel is a family business, my personal life is intrinsically connected to my professional life. I love spending time with my family, but inevitably we always end up talking about business! To blow off steam after a long day, I enjoy going upstairs in our LIC location, which has a state of the art tennis and workout facility on the roof. Great view of NYC. The alone time helps me clear my mind and prepare myself for the next day.
• Do you have any advice/tips for young collectors? Any tips for finding decorative arts treasures?
My biggest tip for young collectors is simply to be inspired to learn about the objects and the people that can teach about them. Young people today unfortunately don’t have the opportunity or the exposure to what these items can offer as an intellectual and functional pleasure to one’s day life. Pay attention to what strikes you and always try to see how it can enhance your life.
• What inspires you the most in your role as CEO?
I represent the fourth generation of Newel and I feel an obligation to build upon past successes. The biggest inspiration to me are the vast opportunities that Newel can achieve in the future. We have our fingers in many industries. The interior design and entertainment industries are creative and dynamic, and I want to be able to evolve with them and as CEO, I have the chance to lead Newel ito the next chapter of its development.
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