Gambles Furniture Awarded With Centennial Business Award

Press release by Indiana Historical Society (Indianapolis, Ind.) - The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is honoring an Aurora-based business for its long history of service. IHS proudly presents its 2016 Centennial Business Award to Gambles Furniture, also known as Robert L. Johnston Company, Inc. Founded in 1908 as a general hardware store, Gambles has evolved into a successful furniture and appliance company in Aurora's historic downtown district. The company was the first Frigidaire dealer in the country and still offers the line today. Martin Rahe, the current owner, is committed to preserving Aurora's historic downtown. Rahe currently sits on the board of directors for Indiana Landmarks. In addition, he has served on the board for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Rahe believes local businesses, like his, are essential to preserving the historic fabric of the communities in which they serve. Gambles will receive its Centennial Business Award at IHS's annual Founders Day event, sponsored by Hirtle, Callaghan & Co. The presentation will take place Monday, Dec. 5, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis. In addition, Gambles will be added to IHS's Historic Business Register. In 1992, the trustees and members of IHS founded the Historic Business Register with three goals in mind: to provide special recognition to Indiana companies continually in business for a century or more, to encourage the preservation of historically significant business-related archival materials, and to develop increased awareness of our rich business and industrial heritage among Indiana's citizens. For more information on the Historic Business Register, Founders Day or other IHS programs, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org..