After attending Clayton High and graduating “officially” in 1980 (Bruce graduated after his junior year), he went on to earn his B.S in Marketing at Indiana University. In 1984, he accepted a Management Training position with the former Famous Barr, a division of The May Department Stores Company. Bruce held various roles through his 12 years at Famous including buying, college recruiting and eventually as General Manager of one of their stores.
Bruce Jay Bernstein
President, Owner
In 1996, Bruce left Famous Barr and went to work for entrepreneur Les Finkelstein who at the time owned Sunshine Drapery and Interior Fashions and Discount Decorating Outlet. Bruce began with Sunshine Drapery managing the shop at home division and through his years there, accepted additional responsibilities until becoming President in 2004. On July 1, 2008, Bruce fulfilled a lifelong dream to own his own business and purchased Sunshine Drapery and another company owned by Les, The Great Cover Up.
Today, Sunshine Drapery and Interior Design (as Bruce changed its marketing name upon purchasing) as well as The Great Cover Up in Ladue proudly employ 45 associates. Sunshine began business in 1969 and in 2019 celebrated 50 years serving Missouri and Illinois. Sunshine Drapery specializes in custom window coverings(draperies, blinds, shades, shutters) and The Great Cover Up does the same but offers a broader range of interior design services including custom furniture, upholstery, wall coverings, rugs, accessories, lamps and more. All custom draperies are made by Bruce’s own seamstresses in his 25,000 square foot Maryland heights facility. Besides The Great Cover Up in Ladue, there are two Sunshine design centers in Chesterfield and Sunset Hills that allow customers to browse and set up in home appointments.
Sunshine’s employees work diligently to make every product perfect.
All of our products are made by hand, locally in our workroom. All of Sunshine’s draperies, valances, swags, cornices and more are made in our 25,000 square foot building in Maryland Heights. We employee the industry’s best seamstresses with each having worked for us from 10 to 35+ years. Having our own workroom is so important as it allows for great communication between all areas: decorators, sales support, workroom employees and installers. Custom work requires a very hands on approach and this is critical to assure that everything we produce is done to the highest level possible.
