Dunk & Bright Furniture
Dunk & Bright was founded in 1927 by William Bright Sr. and William Dunk Sr. in Syracuse's Brighton Neighborhood on South Salina Street. Bill Bright Sr. was a furniture salesman from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came to Syracuse with the dream of opening his own business. Bill Dunk Sr., was an Englishman, born in Kent, who came to the United States as a teenager. He went to work for H.H. Franklin, a car company located in Syracuse, and worked himself up to production manager. Dunk & Bright met on the floor of Brown, Curtis & Brown, a furniture store in downtown Syracuse. Bill Dunk was impressed with Bill Bright, who waited on him and his wife when they dropped in to buy furniture. Dunk told Bright that he was a good salesman, and that he ought to go into business for himself. He agreed to put up the money, and they started the store. Mr. Bright ultimately paid Mr. Dunk $5,000 for his share of the business. When Mr. Bright died in 1939, brother-in-law, John Monahan, took over and was in charge until he died, in 1952. Pat Bright Sr., son of the founder, became president in 1952.