Hush History: The Story of a Family Legacy (1977–Present)

Founding Years (1977–1983)

1977 – North Star Waterbeds Begins in Kimberley, BC

Fred and Gloria Hoechsmann launched North Star Waterbeds in 1977 out of the basement of their home in Kimberley, British Columbia. Fred, then working as a ventilation technologist at Cominco, built waterbeds by hand—burning and brushing the wood for a rustic look. Word of mouth fueled demand, and soon friends, neighbors, and locals were asking for custom-made beds. The business quickly grew beyond a side hustle.

1978 – Purchased “The Bedroom” Storefront

The Hoechsmanns took a major step by purchasing an existing storefront in Cranbrook known as The Bedroom. This small shop would become the heart of their expanding enterprise. Fred handled daytime sales while managing deliveries at night. Joey, born in 1976, spent his early years in a carriage at the front of the store—often used as a charming marketing tool.

1982 – Expansion Doubles Store Size

The business took over the storefront that had housed the Sew & Sew Fabric Shop next door. Fred cut a hole through the wall to connect the two spaces, effectively doubling the size of the showroom and establishing it as the primary retail space and anchor for the years to come.

1983 – First Building Purchased

Fred and Gloria purchased the building where our current front desk is. This allowed them to expand again on the main floor and add another 2,000 square feet. They also expanded product lines into futons and other home furnishings.

Early 1985 – Upstairs Expansion

Soon after acquiring the building, the Hoechsmanns renovated the upper floor, converting what had originally been five luxury loft apartments—considered upscale accommodations when the building was constructed in the early 1900s—into additional showroom space. Featuring skylights and original high ceilings, the second floor gave the store a unique, upscale feel.

Growth, Challenges & Resilience (1988–2000)

1988 – Family Comes First

When Fred’s father was diagnosed with cancer, he moved the family to White Rock to be closer and provide support. During this period, Fred continued to oversee the business by commuting—flying back to Cranbrook once a month and staying in the store while in town.

1994 – Fire in the Upstairs Showroom

A fire broke out upstairs in one of the rooms facing the street, with smoke billowing from the window. Thankfully, it happened during the day and was noticed quickly, allowing for a swift response. No one was hurt, but the fire caused smoke and water damage, forcing the business to close temporarily for cleanup and repairs.

1997 – Acquisition of Jughead’s Disco

The Hoechsmanns acquired the building that had housed Jughead’s Disco, a popular nightclub next door. This strategic real estate purchase enabled them to significantly increase their retail footprint, setting the stage for future showroom expansion and brand growth.

1998 – Manager Departs to Open Bridge Interiors

In the spring of 1998, longtime manager Kenny phoned the family to give notice—he had purchased Taks Home Furnishings and was going into direct competition. Faced with a difficult decision to either close the business or rebuild, Fred and Gloria moved back to Cranbrook full-time to take over operations and ensure the store’s continued success. In the aftermath, several key suppliers shifted their product lines to the new competing store, creating significant pressure to expand in order to retain valued partnerships.

1999 – Transformation of Jughead’s Building

The Hoechsmanns responded decisively. They gave Jughead’s notice, gutted the building, and physically connected it to the main store with a beautiful brick archway. This significant expansion enabled them to retain their La-Z-Boy partnership, expand their offering, and regain supplier confidence.

2000 – La-Z-Boy Renovation Complete

The newly built La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery was completed in 2000. It became one of the most prestigious La-Z-Boy galleries in the Kootenays and was a turning point in the business’s revival.

Unified Effort & Brand Expansion (2001–2011)

This was a time when the entire family—Fred, Gloria, Joey, and Christine—worked side by side, blending experience with new energy to grow the business together.

2001 – Joey & Christine Join the Business

After years of education and travel—including a stint working on the beach in Grand Cayman—Joey and Christine returned to Cranbrook and took over day-to-day operations. Joey, formerly a ski racer with the BC Ski Team, and Christine, with a degree in Biology focusing on Genetics, brought fresh perspective to the family enterprise.

2003 – Two More Buildings

The family purchased two additional buildings on the west end of Baker Street and undertook a major interior renovation to align them with the rest of the store. This expansion allowed for a larger mattress department and a more extensive selection of home décor items.

2003–2005 – Looking for Warehousing

Up to this point, the family had managed growth by acquiring makeshift warehouses—eventually operating out of five locations nicknamed Art, 713, New, Restaurant, and LZB Basement—highlighting both the creativity and the chaos of the setup.

2005 – Opening of Home Living

While searching for storage space, the family stumbled upon an opportunity to launch a second retail concept: Home Living. Focused on Ashley Furniture, this new store broadened the product offering and footprint, reinforcing their commitment to innovation.

2007 – Transition to Ashley HomeStore Branding

Although small compared to other markets, Ashley HomeStore saw the brand’s potential and invited the Hoechsmanns to join. A significant renovation followed—both inside and out—to align with national brand standards.

2011 – Unexpected Flood & Temporary Relocation

In August 2011, a fresh water line burst, flooding much of the store. All merchandise was removed, and the business temporarily relocated for three months while cleanup and restoration took place.

Transition & Turbulence (2011–2013)

2011 – Official Ownership Transfer

On August 31, 2011, Fred and Gloria officially passed the torch to Joey and Christine, marking a generational shift and reinforcing the continuity of values and vision that had guided the company.

2011–2013 – Economic Challenges & Team Resilience

Following the 2008 US financial crisis, the Kootenays felt the downturn. The family worked long hours and made tough decisions to avoid layoffs, strengthening their resolve and fostering resilience.

Infrastructure Growth & Renovations (2013–2020)

2015 – Entrance Renovation & Architectural Reveal

The main entrance was refreshed by removing the T-bar ceiling—revealing original tongue-and-groove boards—updating the electrical system, painting the ceiling black, and adding modern track lighting for a clean, industrial look.

2015 – Urban Underground Reno

What was once utilitarian storage became a captivating space known as “the basement,” showcasing original fir beams, exposed rock walls, and track lighting, along with a restored historic coal boiler.

2016 – Warehouse Milestone: Consolidating Operations

In March 2016, the family acquired a 17,000 sq ft warehouse—the former Liquidation World building—providing a centralized space with 22-foot ceilings and dramatically improving logistics and storage.

2017 – Warehouse Conversion into Showroom

The old 4,000 sq ft attached warehouse was repurposed into an expanded appliance gallery and enhanced mattress center, featuring soaring ceilings, modern lighting, and a distinctive drop pergola.

Rebrand, Expansion & New Vision (2020–2025)

2020 – The Birth of HUSH Home Furnishings

After 40+ years as The Bedroom Furniture Galleries, Joey & Christine chose “HUSH Home Furnishings” for its simplicity, phonetic nod to Hoechsmann, and sense of comfort—ushering in a new brand era.

2023–2024 – Full Rebrand & Façade Renovation

In 2023, they unified four separate buildings under a refreshed façade—adding brick, modern siding, energy-efficient windows, black awnings, and elegant signage—making the storefront a cohesive downtown landmark.

2024 – New Head Office & Mid-Century Gallery

Upstairs offices became the new head office with a boardroom for Christine, Joey, and their team, while an extra 1,500 sq ft showroom was added for a mid-century modern gallery featuring iconic pieces.

The Road Ahead: Innovation & Possibility

Plans for 2026 include removing one of the four buildings and constructing a brand-new appliance gallery—our largest renovation yet—plus ongoing discussions about expansion and a commitment to embracing new technologies.

One thing is certain: Joey and Christine remain deeply committed to enhancing the customer experience, both in-store and online.