After 68 years as a single-store business, Sheely’s Furniture and Appliance is expanding its footprint. The Home Furnishings Association member in North Lima, Ohio, will open a second store in September in Aurora, about 30 miles outside Cleveland. The new location is part of the company’s strategic initiative for growth and further expansion into the Cleveland market.
A grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 7-19 at the new location on North Marketplace Drive at the Shops at Marketplace.
Jessica Smith, buyer and one of three principal owners at Sheely’s, is excited. “As a third-generation Sheely’s family member, I’m honored to usher in this new era for Sheely’s along with my principal partners, our 150 employees and stakeholders. It is such an exciting time to be a part of this business.”
Confident of success
Expanding into a new market in the middle of a global pandemic and recession wasn’t what company officials were anticipating when they started this initiative 18 months ago. But Smith and others at Sheely’s are confident the new store will succeed. The new location features 80,000
square feet of showroom and warehouse space, with spaces dedicated to Sheely’s mix of furniture, appliances, mattresses, décor and Warehouse Outlet. The store will feature some of the brands that Sheely’s customers are familiar with as well as new lines. “This location provides us the opportunity to welcome new brands into our core offerings,” said Lance Romeo, buyer and a principal at Sheely’s. “Our buyers are currently working on creating that new mix of products, which we believe will be something exciting for customers both old and new.”
Jeff Curry, Sheely’s general manager and the third principal owner, said customers at the new location can expect several of Sheely’s tried-and-true business practices such as its everyday low prices, free local delivery, in-house furniture and appliance service technicians and a seasoned delivery team that makes more than 23,000 deliveries per year. “We pride ourselves on creating jobs within our community, so the employees visiting homes for delivery or service calls will be people who live in those same communities and not from an outsourced provider,” said Curry.
Curry expects the new store to generate an estimated 25 new jobs to start, with more hires to come as the store grows.
Founded in 1952 by Dale Sheely Sr., today Sheely’s flagship North Lima store has a showroom that exceeds 80,000 square feet and a 150,000-square-foot warehouse, which totals almost 6 acres of selection and inventory.
