A Tradition In Quality Since 1921
In 1921, Albert Hugo stepped off the train in Jacksonville for a layover as he headed toward south Florida. As the train went further south, the scenery began to look as if he were heading into the Amazon... and beyond civilization. Albert headed back to Jacksonville where he spent the rest of his life. Trained in his native Germany as a "tapezierer" - Albert was a decorator skilled at paper hanging, cabinet making, upholstery and other crafts. Albert married his wife Euna, who had been a hat maker before her marriage. As Albert designed interiors, built and upholstered furniture, Euna would sew beautiful and elaborate window treatments. Albert and Euna set up shop in the dock house of Arthur and Ninah Cummer’s English Tudor Revival mansion on Riverside Avenue. He trades their furnishings expertise for workspace to begin Albert Hugo and Associates. His clients grow to include other internationally known families such as Alfred and Jessie duPont. The Hugo family continues to meet the duPont’s furnishings and fabric needs inside their remarkable 58-acre mansion, Epping Forest, now Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club. As Albert Hugo Associates expands, they move to the present Philips Highway site in 1947. Together they served many of Jacksonville's prominent families.
In 1947, Albert and Euna Hugo moved their business to Philips Highway, where it is still located. Their sons, Edward and Charles, took over the business as Albert retired. Following in their footsteps at Albert Hugo Associates were sons Edward and Charles. Grandson Richard, trained in furniture styles, periods, and the use of color and textiles, took over. Then came his children, Mathew, Jennie, John, and Paul – the 4th generation.
Today, Hugo’s Interiors maintains its leadership role in providing fine design in home furnishings and accessories for people with discerning tastes interested in new trends in furniture, fabric, and accessories. The Hugo Family looks forward to its young 5th generation continuing as purveyors of taste, quality furnishings, and beautiful accessories.
Today, it is quite possible, even probable, that the grandchildren and great grandchildren of Albert Hugo are serving the future generations of Hugo's first customers.