Know Your Neighbor: Steve Kloss, CEO of Kloss Furniture
The old adage, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” might very well be the mantra embraced by Steve Kloss, owner of Kloss Furniture in Highland, O’Fallon and Edwardsville.
Although Steve was born March 15, 1958, in Brunswick, Georgia, he was only 3 months old when he was planted in Highland. His father, Delmar, was in the U.S. Navy when his wife, Doris, gave birth to their eldest child, Steve. Later, he was joined by two sisters, Becky and Pam.
Upon the family’s return to their Highland roots, the Kloss’ were the proprietors of a butcher shop and meat market. When Steve and his siblings were old enough, they helped out and earned a bit of spending money by stamping the packages of meat.
Steve’s formative years were spent doing farm chores, hunting, fishing and attending Catholic Church. While a student at St. Paul Catholic School, Steve took a keen notice of one of his sister’s friends, blue-eyed Ceil; they attended the same accounting class.
“We first met in 1974,” recalled Steve. “I first noticed her exterior beauty and soon realized she was beautiful on the inside too.”
Steve remembers her good work ethic, kindness toward others and her willingness to help anyone. They became engaged in 1977 and married Oct. 14, 1978. In addition to being Ceil’s No. fan for her “old-fashioned pot roast,” Steve credits his high school sweetheart with treating everyone like family, and setting a high standard for honesty and integrity.
After having worked briefly for Alton Box Board Co., Steve became employed by his parents who founded Kloss Furniture in 1976. He did the books, made deliveries and sold flooring. Shortly after Steve and Ceil married and Steve was only 20 years of age, his father experienced what Steve references “as a mid-life crisis” and decided to sell the family business and move on with his own life.
“He divorced my mother and told me I should look for a new job,” said Steve. “I responded ‘No; I’m going to find a way to buy you out.’”
Steve takes over business, but then disaster strikes
Steve turned to his close friend, Certified Public Accountant Ron Schneider, and they formulated a plan. After having contacted all the area banks, two of the financial institutions granted a split loan. Steve and his mother kept it afloat and ran the business.
“My mother never criticized me for mistakes I made,” said Steve. “She was always supportive and had certainly been through the school of hard knocks. Plus, she was great at decorating.”
During these years, Steve and Ceil added two sons, Josh and Derek, and one daughter, Brittany, to their family.
All was going well until one very windy December Sunday in 1999, when a customer spotted a spark emitting from a ceiling bulb. The fire department was immediately called, but due to the strong, gusting winds, Kloss Furniture was totally destroyed.
After collecting their thoughts, Steve and Doris decided to open several branded stores in St. Louis featuring specific lines such as Broyhill, Lane and Thomasville only. The arrangement ended unsuccessfully due to a change of heart by the manufacturers. Steve closed all stores and was left with only the warehouse in Highland and reopened the location in Highland.
This was during the 2007 recession, and Kloss Furniture went from 250 employees to only seven. The warehouse they then named The Tin Shed and business was booming in both locations. But then, another snafu surfaced. Steve was informed by a tax auditor that he owed $4 million in taxes. He was devastated and in disbelief and came close to giving up on the enterprise.
A resilient bounce back
Steve said with considerable emotion, “Ceil then told me she would love me even if we had to live in a doghouse. That was a defining moment for me and I decided to appeal the auditor’s decision.” After eight months, a letter from Peoria arrived informing Steve and Ceil it was all a mistake.
They later closed The Tin Shed and purchased the former grocery store at 1100 Broadway. With a space of 34,000 square feet, there was much work to be done to transform it into a showplace for furniture. Steve said with the help of his two sons, two nephews, two carpenters and Ceil, within three months they were ready to open.
“The community of Highland literally wrapped their arms around us during these transitions,” said Steve. “Everyone was so supportive in every way, including spiritually.”
The Kloss’ now have three locations — Highland, Edwardsville and O’Fallon — with sprawling showrooms sporting all the latest trends and traditions and a healthy supply of rustic selections.
An ample portion of Amish-made Furniture is available and display rooms are accentuated by towering wall murals depicting the simplistic Amish lifestyle. Steve said the Amish-made collection is so durable, fingernail polish remover can be poured on the finishes without any damage.
Kloss’ also features a leather gallery, specials, a huge selection of recliners and lift chairs, outlet value prices and a diverse range of colors, styles and textures with financing options suited to a variety of budgets.
Award winners, hobbies
In 2019, Steve, Josh and the entire Kloss team were the recipients of the Furniture Industry Leadership Award by the Furniture Today publication for their perseverance and successful sales record. He and Ceil went to Naples, Florida to accept the presentation.
Steve said he and Ceil enjoy traveling, fishing and going to Colorado as often as possible to visit family and their grandchildren, Ben and Stella.
“In addition to our community support during good times and bad, my family has always been there for me and my wife is a rock,” said Steve.
The family resides in Highland.