5 Secrets Behind The Kohler Signature Store By General Plumbing Supply That Are Redefining Luxury Design
The Kohler Signature Store by General Plumbing Supply (GPS) is not just a retail space; it represents a powerful partnership between two century-old, family-owned industry giants that is fundamentally changing how homeowners, designers, and trade professionals shop for luxury kitchen and bath fixtures. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the store locations across New Jersey and New York continue to serve as innovative, hands-on design hubs, moving far beyond the traditional catalog-based shopping experience to offer an unparalleled, immersive journey into high-end home technology and style.
This exclusive retail concept, powered by the extensive distribution and customer service network of General Plumbing Supply, is a destination where you can not only see the latest Kohler products but also interact with fully functioning displays, test cutting-edge smart home technology, and receive dedicated, expert-level design consultation. The success of this collaboration lies in a shared heritage of quality, innovation, and a deep commitment to the customer experience, driven by a multi-generational leadership team focused on the future of home design.
The General Plumbing Supply (GPS) Leadership Profile: A Century of Family Excellence
The foundation of the Kohler Signature Store’s success rests on the deep history and current leadership of General Plumbing Supply, a company that has grown from a local hardware store to one of the largest plumbing, heating, and HVAC distributors on the East Coast.
- Founder: Charles S. Goldberg. The company began in 1910 as Goldberg Plumbing Supply in Bayonne, New Jersey. Charles S. Goldberg established the initial business, focusing on general hardware before specializing in plumbing supplies.
- Third-Generation CEO: Bruce Tucker. Bruce Tucker is the third-generation CEO, having learned the business from his father, Herb. His leadership has been instrumental in navigating the company's growth and fostering the crucial partnership with Kohler.
- Fourth-Generation President: Justin Freedman. Justin Freedman, the great-grandson of the founder’s family, serves as the current President. He has held various roles across the business, from marketing director to vice president, and represents the fourth generation of family leadership, emphasizing a focus on advanced and efficient products.
- Key Executive: Matthew Freedman. Matthew Freedman, another member of the fourth generation, serves as the Vice President of Finance and Operations (and was recognized as a 2024 Next Gen All Star). His presence ensures the continued family ownership and dedication to the company's long-term vision.
This multi-generational, hands-on leadership ensures that the Kohler Signature Stores by GPS maintain a unique blend of a vast distributor's inventory and a boutique showroom's personalized service.
Secret #1: The Power of Functioning Displays and Immersive Experience
The primary differentiator of the Kohler Signature Store is its commitment to an immersive, hands-on shopping experience that you simply cannot get at a standard big-box retailer. This concept is built around the idea that customers should be able to touch, feel, and use the products before they buy them.
The showrooms feature a wide array of fully functioning products, allowing a customer to experience water flow, spray patterns, and the feel of various fixtures. This includes working displays of kitchen faucets, shower systems, and even some of Kohler’s most advanced toilets.
This unique retail strategy is more than just a display; it's a critical component of the design process. Customers can truly understand the difference between a standard faucet and one with touchless technology or a high-end digital shower system. This tactile interaction eliminates guesswork and builds confidence in the investment being made in premium bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
Secret #2: Exclusive Access to Kohler’s Most Advanced Technology
The Signature Store designation grants GPS the ability to showcase and sell Kohler’s most exclusive and technologically advanced product lines. These are the high-end, innovative entities that truly transform a home space into a smart, modern environment.
A key focus is on smart home integration and personalized comfort. The store provides a platform to explore products like the Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet, which features dual flush, integrated bidet functionality, ambient lighting, and even integrated voice assistants like Alexa.
Furthermore, the showrooms are the ideal place to experience the DTV+ Digital Showering System. This technology allows users to control water temperature, spray outlets, steam, lighting, and music all from a single interface, offering a spa-like experience at home. The store also features the sleek, minimalist designs of the Veil Collection, which includes intelligent toilets, freestanding baths, and sinks that prioritize both form and function.
For the ultimate in luxury, the partnership also provides access to the Kallista brand, Kohler’s ultra-premium line known for its bespoke designs and exceptional craftsmanship. By offering these exclusive, innovative technologies, the Signature Store caters directly to the discerning customer and the professional designer seeking the pinnacle of luxury plumbing.
Secret #3: The Unparalleled Value of Expert Design Consultation
A central pillar of the Kohler Signature Store model is the provision of dedicated, in-house Kohler Design Experts. These are not just sales associates; they are trained professionals who offer comprehensive design consultation services.
For homeowners embarking on a major renovation or new construction, navigating the thousands of options in finishes, styles, and functionalities can be overwhelming. The Design Experts at the GPS-operated locations—including the Jersey Shore (Eatontown), Paramus, Summit, Manhasset, and Brooklyn stores—guide customers through the entire process.
Services often include:
- Product Selection: Matching the right fixtures (faucets, sinks, vanities, toilets) to a client's specific aesthetic, from contemporary to transitional styles.
- Technical Guidance: Advising on the technical specifications of digital showers and smart toilets, ensuring compatibility with home plumbing and electrical systems.
- Material Coordination: Assisting with the coordination of finishes, colors, and materials to create a cohesive and elegant space.
This level of personalized service transforms the store from a simple point of sale into a collaborative design studio, ensuring that the final product not only looks stunning but is also perfectly functional for the client's lifestyle.
Secret #4: A Strategic Partnership Built on Shared Heritage
The enduring success of the Kohler Signature Store by General Plumbing Supply is rooted in the fact that both companies share a remarkably similar DNA. Both Kohler and GPS are over a century old and remain family-owned and operated businesses.
Kohler, founded in 1873, is globally renowned for its quality and innovation in kitchen and bath products. General Plumbing Supply, established in 1910, is a regional powerhouse known for its vast inventory, logistical excellence, and deep relationships with trade professionals.
This partnership is a strategic alignment: Kohler gains a dedicated, high-touch retail presence managed by a trusted, service-focused distributor, while GPS solidifies its position as the largest Kohler stocking distributor in its region, ensuring immediate availability of premium products. This synergy guarantees a seamless experience for the customer, from the initial design consultation in the showroom to the final delivery and installation of the product on the job site.
Secret #5: The Future of Luxury Showrooms is Interactive and Educational
Looking ahead, the model pioneered by the Kohler Signature Store by General Plumbing Supply points toward a future where luxury retail is heavily focused on education and interaction. The store environments are constantly updated to reflect the newest trends in home design, such as water conservation technologies, wellness features (like hydrotherapy and chromatherapy), and ever-evolving smart home integration.
The showrooms serve as an educational hub for the trade, hosting events and providing resources for architects, interior designers, and contractors. By continuously investing in high-tech displays, professional development for their Design Experts, and maintaining a massive local inventory, GPS ensures that its Kohler Signature Stores remain at the forefront of the industry. This focus on providing a comprehensive, educational, and interactive destination is the core secret to their continued success in redefining the luxury home design market across New York and New Jersey.
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