My friend Dave Siroty is a curious learner, always asking questions and seeing what’s around him. We love to talk about the cool things you can see and learn if you are willing to engage and meet new people. Case in point from Dave this week…a niche business with a big upside…or downside depending on whether you are sitting or standing…
See below…
The pleather in the front seat of my 2016 Kia Sorrento has a tear in it. My mechanic mentioned there are still some auto upholstery places around and mentioned one nearby. I called and they suggested I bring the car over for them to take a look. So I did.
Everlast Auto Interiors and Tops in Linden, NJ, has a non-descript storefront with a small driveway on a heavily trafficked road. It’s one of those places you’d never see notice unless you were looking for it. I pulled into the driveway and walked inside. On the wall were photos of Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Met Life Stadium. I figured the owner must be a sports fan. While waiting for him to come out and look at my car, I read a small plaque dedicated to his late dad who started the business 70 years ago out of his mom’s garage before moving to the current location. His son Eric Gorden now owns it in the same location.
Eric came out and explained what they could do with my seat and how much it would cost. He gave me alternatives and ways to potentially save money. He even told me to see if Kia would do it cheaper. I also asked about his dad, and he shared how it all started. He then asked if I wanted a look around the back where the repairs are made. So off we went. I saw several cars with seats being repaired (they actually pull the seats out to re-upholster them) and some antiques that were being refurbished. I’m not a car guy but was still impressed.
But then the magic happened as we went to the back bays!
“What’s are those?” I asked pointing to what looked like to be seat cushions from a theatre, arena or stadium.
Eric shared that they were seats from Met Life Stadium that had worn down, had tears and needed to be refurbished. After games and events, the stadium crew replaces the tops, bottoms or both and sends batches to Everlast for repair. There had to be nearly 100 seat backs and cushions.
Around the corner were similar seats from Yankee Stadium! And Citi Field!
As we walked back towards the front, Eric further explained his process and showed me the rolls of material they use for those seats in Yankee Stadium blue. He also showed me the patterns they use to cut materials for the grey Met Life seats. And then, more towards the front, he pointed to Prudential Center seats including special ones they made for the retirement of the Devils’ Patrik Elias #26. While many arenas pull up and just replace seats, more arenas are taking to a quick and more efficient way to repair…with a small company that knows the business.
Eric first got started outside of automobiles by attending a Newark Airport trade show and ended up getting a contract for United’s Terminal C to update their seats. That led to Met Life Stadium learning about his capabilities.
And now I had stumbled into a part of the sports world I never knew existed!
And, if you work in stadium operations, and are tired of wasting money on constantly buying new seats, reach out to Eric at info@everlastinteriors.com. What an amazing niche found when you ask a question or too.
Thanks Dave!
