Debbie Schaeffer is CEO of Mrs. G’s Appliances in Lawrence Township. Her grandparents, Abe and Beatrice Greenberg, opened a plumbing supply store on East State Street in Trenton in 1935, which evolved into selling refrigerators and other appliances after World War II. As the current face of the business, she is very active in area business association gatherings.
Schaeffer is also seen at plays, concerts and even early in the morning at the former Trenton arts festival Art All Night. She supports the arts not only with her pocketbook, but with her presence and promotion. She understands the impact and value of the arts in the community.
What first got you involved in arts and culture in the area?
My interest in art really started with my mother. Growing up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, she loved museums and galleries and would take us to New Hope to see local artwork.
But what really deepened my interest was about 30 years ago, when my children were young and I became involved with the Princeton University Art Museum. I loved the member day trips to places like New York and Philadelphia, where we would visit private homes, artists and collections and really learn about what we were seeing. I loved being with people who were curious about art and the conversations that came with it.
At this point in my life, I’m making more time to continue that education. I’ve been taking classes at the Barnes Foundation and recently visited the Yale University Art Gallery, where I learned about the American Revolution through the paintings of John Trumbull. I was fascinated by his story and the history behind the paintings.
That’s probably what I enjoy most about art today. You find a work that you love, but then it takes you somewhere else. You start learning about the artist, the history and the world around it. The more I learn, the more curious I become.
How do you feel the “power of awe” can influence people in science, arts and culture?
I recently attended The Art of Well-Being Annual Summit, presented by Noom at the Princeton University Art Museum, and it really changed the way I think about art and well-being. One of the ideas that stayed with me was that cultural experiences may someday be viewed as an important part of our well-being, much like physical activity is today.
I spend a lot of time on my physical health. I play tennis, walk and lift weights, but I’ve come to realize that engaging with art can be another part of taking care of ourselves.
Years ago, I fell in love with a Toulouse-Lautrec work at the Barnes and bought a reproduction. It has hung in my living room for more than 10 years, and I still stop and look at it. It creates that little moment of awe.
I’ve also changed the way I visit museums. Instead of trying to see everything, I try to choose a few works, slow down, sit on a bench and really look. You start noticing things you didn’t see at first. And you don’t even need to be in a museum. Put a piece of art you love somewhere you’ll see it, or pull one up on your phone instead of checking email or Instagram, and spend a few minutes with it.
In a world that rewards being busy, art reminds us to pause.
Please tell us about your involvement with the Princeton Symphony.
I currently serve on the board of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and attend most of the performances throughout the year. I absolutely love the orchestra and think we are incredibly fortunate to have it here in Princeton. Rossen Milanov is an amazing conductor, and the musicians are extraordinary.
But I have to say, I am especially in love with the Princeton Festival. For several weeks every June, there is something happening almost every day: symphonic music, opera, dance, Broadway, popular music and wonderful guest performers. It’s such a gem, and I would love to see more people from outside Princeton discover it and make it a destination.
And one of the things I particularly admire is Princeton Symphony Orchestra BRAVO!, which brings music education to thousands of schoolchildren in our community. Introducing children to live music at a young age is so important. You never know what experience is going to spark a lifelong love of the arts.
What fights or struggles do you see locally for the artists you know and the events you frequent?
I think one of the biggest struggles is simply getting people to show up. We have wonderful arts organizations, museums, performances and events in this area, but there are so many things competing for everyone’s time and attention.
And funding is always an issue. I think local businesses and individuals have a responsibility to support these organizations, not just financially, but by attending, talking about them and introducing other people to them. If we want a vibrant community, the arts have to be part of it.
Do you incorporate artistic aspects into the store? Do you keep décor in mind?
Absolutely. When we designed the showroom, I wanted it to feel bright, airy and open, almost more like a gallery than a store. We have high ceilings, wide aisles, light colors and beautiful displays that give people room to explore and imagine.
I recently read about a University of Minnesota study on how ceiling height can actually influence the way we think. Higher ceilings can encourage more open, creative thinking, while lower ceilings can encourage greater focus. I found that fascinating because, without really knowing the science behind it, we had designed Mrs. G’s that way. You enter through this large, open space where you can imagine the possibilities, and then as you move through the showroom, the spaces become more intimate and the conversations and decisions become more focused.
I also believe in engaging all five senses. There are beautiful appliances to see and touch, music playing and, very often, cookies baking, a chef demonstration or even smash burgers on a grill.
Have you hosted art events among the many events at Mrs. G’s?
Absolutely. I’ve always loved using Mrs. G’s as a gathering place for the arts. For the past two years, we’ve hosted a dinner for Princeton Symphony members that included a live performance, in collaboration with Café Appliances.
We’ve also worked with Artworks Trenton and artists like Leon Rainbow, who has become a good friend over the years. One of my favorite projects was our “Paint Our Refrigerators Pink” event to support YWCA breast cancer awareness. We brought graffiti artists and survivors together to paint refrigerators incorporating the pink ribbon. It was creative, colorful and so much fun. Leon’s refrigerator is currently being raffled off. See YWCA Princeton for more details.
I’ve also hosted Trenton artists at Mrs. G’s during a Chamber of Commerce event, which gave us an opportunity to introduce the artists and their work to the business community.
I love bringing together people who might not otherwise meet: artists, musicians, businesspeople, children and our customers. Art doesn’t always have to be experienced in a museum or gallery. Sometimes the most interesting experiences happen in unexpected places, even an appliance store.
Princeton University Art Museum.
What are some of your favorite area arts and culture venues for a night out?
I must laugh at the “night out” part because I’m a very early riser! I’ve discovered that I enjoy many of my favorite cultural experiences during the day.
The Princeton University Art Museum is certainly at the top of my list. I love going back again and again, especially for the lectures and educational programs. I also love the Sunday afternoon Princeton Symphony performances and McCarter Theatre, where I often choose a matinee.
Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton is truly a gem, and I’m always surprised by how many people who live locally have never been there. It’s such a special combination of art, beautiful landscaping and nature, and I love experiencing it in different seasons because the sculptures and grounds take on an entirely different character.
It’s also a wonderful place to walk, relax and exercise both your body and your mind. And having Rat’s Restaurant right there makes the experience even more special.
I have a real soft spot for the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope because I grew up going there, and I still love their productions.
And movies are definitely art to me. I’m a big movie fan and love going to the Princeton Garden Theatre, especially for films you might not see everywhere else. I also collect vintage movie posters, particularly Polish movie posters, which I think are incredible works of graphic art.
For me, a great cultural experience can be a museum, live music, theater or a wonderful film. We’re incredibly fortunate to have all of that right here in our area.
With your engineering and construction background, how do you think the arts can help young people learn about science, history and the world around them?
I’m an engineer and have a construction management background, so I certainly value science and hands-on learning. But one thing I’ve come to appreciate increasingly is how the arts can open the door to so many other subjects for young people.
Art is an incredible way to learn history. Look at a portrait or a painting of a war, a religious scene, a home or everyday life, and suddenly you start asking questions: Who are these people? What was happening at that time? How did they live? I recently experienced that myself at Yale, learning about the American Revolution through the paintings of John Trumbull. It made the history come alive.
We’re also fortunate to have organizations like the Arts Council of Princeton, which offers classes, exhibitions and programs for children as well as adults. I took my own children to museums and exposed them to art, but looking back, I wish I had done even more to connect the art they were seeing to history, science and the world around them. That’s something I’m really looking forward to doing someday with my grandchildren.
Do you think supporting the arts is a good fit for chambers of commerce and professional organizations?
Yes. I believe supporting the arts is a natural fit for businesses, chambers of commerce and professional associations because supporting the arts is really about supporting the community. The arts bring people together, encourage creativity and lifelong learning, and contribute to a vibrant community where people want to live, work and do business. When businesses support the arts, they’re investing in the overall strength and quality of life of their community.
What changes have you seen at arts organizations such as Artworks Trenton and the Arts Council of Princeton over the years?
I think one of the biggest changes I’ve seen is how strong and sustainable these organizations have become. The Arts Council of Princeton has wonderful leadership under Adam Welch, a passionate team and strong community support, and continues to offer programs and classes that people really want.
Artworks Trenton also has great leadership, and I especially love what they’re doing with young people. Mrs. G’s supported transportation this summer so children in their art programs could visit the Princeton University Art Museum and participate in other experiences outside Trenton. I miss Art All Night, but Artworks continues to create opportunities for artists to be seen and recognized. Both organizations have really become important anchors in their communities.
Has supporting and advocating for the arts been part of your family, and is it present in the next generation?
Yes, I think it started with my mother. She loved museums and took us to museums, while my grandmother worked all the time and really didn’t have those opportunities. I feel like I’ve taken that interest to another level as I’ve learned more about art history, the power of awe and how experiencing art can contribute to our well-being.
I’ve tried to pass that appreciation on to my daughters. Recently, I visited my daughter in San Francisco, and we spent the day at the Legion of Honor. We had so much fun finding the art that resonated with each of us and especially discovering the pieces we loved together. And it’s not only the art. It’s the architecture, the sculpture, the landscape and the entire experience.
What is on the horizon? What do you have coming up?
One project I’m particularly excited about is our partnership with Electrolux Group and HomeWorks Trenton, a nonprofit boarding school for girls in Trenton. Electrolux Group is donating new kitchen and laundry appliances, with Mrs. G’s coordinating the delivery and installation.
One of the new ranges even specializes in making pizza. Antonio Carannante, owner of Brother’s Pizza and Blend Bistro, and I are planning to spend an evening with the girls teaching them the art of making the perfect pizza. It’s another fun way to bring creativity, learning and community together.
Mrs. G Appliances, is located at 2720 U.S. 1 Business, Lawrence Township, New Jersey 08648. For more information, call 609-882-1444 or go to mrsgs.com.
