December 31, 2021 | About Us
45 Years and Still Dreaming!
Each year as we reflect on the past year and celebrate all we have accomplished together, we are so thankful for you.
As a special thank you, we share a never-before-told story from our President and CEO
Listen to the story retold by Jeffrey Bershad on this episode of the Anti-Architect Podcast - click here to listen.
PJ's Humble Beginnings
Our father, Eric Bershad, the founder of Phillip Jeffries, stood in front of the elevator doors, waiting for them to open. He heard the familiar “bing” and readied himself to walk away from his dream. It was 1977 in New York City, and it was a watershed moment in his life.
Realizing this, Eric instinctively turned around, walked back through the lobby, past the receptionist, through the heavy double doors, and back into the expansive office. The Godfather of Grasscloth looked up from behind his oversized desk and said, “I thought I told you to get out.”
Eric looked at him and said, “Sir, you are so successful. In order to become so successful, at some point in your life, someone must have given you a break. I’m not asking for much. I’ll pay you $2,000 for as much grasscloth as you can give me. It’s alI I have. Can you give me my big break and help me get started?”
That moment changed everything for our father. 
And now, 45 years later, his dream lives on. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to realize a dream. We are grateful for you - our PJ team, our partners, and our clients - for joining us on this journey. While much has changed since those humble beginnings with just 10 grasscloths and a dream, some things remain the same. We continue to build on the foundation our father Eric created – building the strongest relationships through hard work, meticulous attention to quality, and always keeping your word.
Today, we look toward a bright future. In a year of unprecedented logistical challenges, we are proud to say we continue to have the fastest delivery in the industry. With more than a million yards in stock at our New Jersey warehouse, we are able to deliver award-winning designs in a matter of days.
In 2020, during uncertain times, we opened new showrooms in Florida, Los Angeles, and Chicago - for a total of nine showrooms worldwide. From Singapore to South Florida, we are available in more markets and directly to more designers than ever before. The investments we’re making today are laying the groundwork for the next 45 years and beyond.
We hope to inspire you to follow your dreams and design with passion.
Our very best,
Philip & Jeffrey
