For Justin and MaryKim Bernhardt, running a furniture store together isn’t just a business—it’s the fulfillment of a family legacy and a shared dream.

Justin was born and raised in Northern Virginia, while MaryKim moved from the Philippines to the D.C. area in 1999. The two met through friends in 2005, married four years later, and have been partners in life—and now in business—for 16 years.

“It’s always been our dream to go into business together,” says MaryKim. “To finally make that happen, and to do it in a way that connects to Justin’s family history, makes it even more meaningful.”

Their children, JD (15) and Tiffany (13), are already part of the family operation. From modeling for ads to chatting with customers, the Bernhardt kids have grown up in the business. Tiffany even discovered one of the store’s best-selling items—small leather animal figures now scattered throughout the showroom.

Furniture is in Justin’s blood. His great-great-great-grandfather, Frank Michelbach, founded Frank Michelbach, Inc., the largest furniture store in Old Town Alexandria from 1904 to 1977.

In 2023, when the owners of Creative Classics, a beloved Old Town furniture store operating just a block from the original Michelbach’s, decided to retire, the Bernhardts saw an opportunity to continue both a family and community tradition.

“It felt like the universe was giving us a nudge,” Justin recalls. “Creative Classics had the same philosophy my great-great-grandfather did—quality craftsmanship and treating every customer like a neighbor.”

The couple has honored that legacy while expanding the store’s offerings. Since taking ownership, they’ve doubled the showroom size and introduced more product lines to meet every style and budget. “We’ve kept the same dedication to American-made, high-quality furniture,” says MaryKim. “But now we also have more variety—something for every family and every home.”

Beyond their Old Town showroom, the Bernhardts also operate a shipping business based in Dulles, allowing them to deliver furniture to clients around the globe.

“With that partnership, we’re able to reach customers anywhere,” Justin says. “Whether they’re in Del Ray or Dubai, we can help them create a space they love.”

For the Bernhardts, the joy of the furniture business goes beyond the showroom floor.

“Furniture is fun,” says Justin. “People love their homes, and helping them find the right pieces means being part of the memories they’ll make—holiday dinners, movie nights, sleepovers. These are the moments that matter.”

Their Del Ray clients, in particular, appreciate that personal touch. “Del Ray has such a creative, community-oriented vibe,” says MaryKim. “Our clients there love that they can design something custom—pick their fabric, wood finish, even the configuration. Every piece tells a story.”

Unlike big-box retailers, their store offers custom, heirloom-quality furniture that’s meant to last generations. “The sky’s the limit,” says Justin. “You can create something truly unique—something that fits your family and your life.”