Through more than six decades of bear and bull markets, recessions, a crippling three-year pandemic and other market challenges, Pearce Real Estate has managed to adapt and grow into one of the most successful independently owned and operated, full-service real estate companies in the greater New Haven region and beyond.
This year, Pearce Real Estate is celebrating 65 years of business, serving the needs of residential and commercial clients. The Pearce brand of service extends to the community at large, supporting dozens of local charitable organizations, which the company has done since its founding in 1958.
It was then that the late Herb Pearce first opened the doors to the residential business, after his successful career in production and marketing at the A.C. Gilbert Company. Pearce Real Estate’s corporate headquarters remains in the company’s original building in North Haven. Herb’s daughter, Barbara L. Pearce, is the Chair and CEO of Pearce Real Estate. Under her guidance, the company has continued Herb’s vision.
The successful and well-respected real estate company has increased to seven residential and commercial offices in the greater New Haven and Shoreline areas.
“We are so happy to be reaching yet another big milestone! We owe it to our fabulous agents and staff, and to the loyal clients who keep coming back, generation after generation,” Barbara Pearce said.
Many of the Pearce Real Estate staff and agents have left an indelible mark on the community as they have assisted clients purchase a dream home, downsize, relocate, and sell or lease commercial interests, garnering an impressive number of professional awards and recognitions along the way. Barbara Pearce, currently serving as the Interim CEO of The Connecticut Hospice – the country’s first hospice, has received countless honors including the 2021 Community Service Award from the New Haven Middlesex Association of REALTORS®. Among Pearce President Nanette Pastore’s many awards is the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce 2020 Woman of the Year.
While Pearce leadership works diligently to welcome and prepare new agents into the profession, the company also inspires longevity. Eileen Smith has been affiliated with Pearce Real Estate for more than 23 years, starting as a part-time receptionist and becoming one of the company’s most decorated and top producing residential agents. “I grew up with a father who owned a small business and I appreciate the benefits of working for a local business who has ties to the community they represent. It has been an extremely fulfilling career,” Smith said.
Believing that the company and its agents had an obligation to give back to the communities in which they lived and worked, Herb Pearce lived by example, chairing numerous non-profit organizations, boards, commissions, fund-raising drives and engaging in other charitable endeavors. His philanthropic philosophy continues to reverberate throughout Pearce Real Estate today. The company hosts an annual Pearce Day of Caring and encourages staff and agents to support community organizations through volunteerism year-round.
Since its inception, Pearce Real Estate has provided time and monetary donations to dozens of non-profits including The American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, the Connecticut Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Haven. Its current initiative has all Pearce offices collecting donations of personal care products, bedding, and other necessities for the clients of New Reach Life Haven, an emergency shelter for single women with children and single pregnant women. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of June.
