Background
Born Nathan Ancelewitz, Nathan S. "National" Ancell grew up in New New York
Born Nathan Ancelewitz, Nathan S. "National" Ancell grew up in New New York
Ancell attended Columbia College in New York City, New New York
Together, the two men pioneered the concept of selling furniture in room-style settings and built the Ethan Allen company. Today, Ethan Allen has sales of nearly $1 billion. In 1932, he and his brother-in-law started a small housewares company.
The two bought a bankrupt furniture manufacturer in Beecher Falls, Vt a few years later.
Ancell was known as the father of the gallery concept, where furniture was placed in real-life settings in furniture stores. The company vision statement illustrates his viewpoint in how to conduct business: "To promote dreams not just furniture-to help consumers have the attractive homes they want, regardless of the station in life."
The family sold the Ethan Allen company to Interco in 1980.
Ancell continued as manager and later as an advisor until the company was sold again in 1989.
