Association Blog

When California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered most businesses in the state to close, Kevin and Jennifer Large didn’t take that as the last word. After all, Beautiwood Unfinished Furniture in Fresno had customers waiting. “We are still working for you!” Jennifer wrote on the business Facebook page. “We are lucky to be able to continue to finish pieces while our showroom is closed to the public. We want our customers to know we are getting your orders finished.” The 60-year-old business specializes in unfinished or custom-finished heirloom and real-wood furniture. While Kevin and Jennifer could complete custom-finish orders, they wanted

Locked doors. Silent phones. Near-empty streets.  With every passing day, HFA members are shuttering their showrooms as states increasingly are ordering all non-essential businesses to close in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. But this is not a story of HFA members throwing up their hands and surrendering. This is the other kind. Heather Hanley of The Tin Roof Furniture Showroom & Design Center in Spokane, Wash., whose store was forced to close Tuesday, is beefing up her web presence, which may soon include prices. Just east of Hanley in Ephrata, Wash., Kelly Moore is promoting Moore Furniture’s

HFA member Tony Vera closed his doors last week, let go of all his employees but family and is relying on website sales to keep Mega Furniture his store in North Miami Beach, Fla., open. But for how long? As store traffic — and sales — dwindle, retailers like Vera are understandably eager to look for ways to cut even expenses. For many, the biggest expense after employees is the rent or mortgage on the store. In Vera’s case, the $20,000 rent on his 12,000 square foot showroom and 8,000 square foot warehouse is due next week. “We can go

Home appliance retailers are essential businesses in Massachusetts. A strong argument advanced by Simon’s Furniture, Mattresses & Appliances in Franklin, Mass., may have helped make sure of that. Today, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ordered non-essential businesses to close at noon Tuesday. Simon’s didn’t wait for the order. To help slow the spread of the coronavirus, it chose to close its showroom last week. But it continued to serve customers’ critical needs. “During the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of getting critical supplies and products to Americans has never been greater,” Kirk and Jared Simon wrote to state and local officials over

The Home Furnishings Association urges members to contact their elected representatives and ask for help to protect their businesses through the public health crisis. A sample message to members of Congress might say this: Dear Representative (Name) or Senator (Name): Communities across the country are in crisis amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak. As a furniture retail business owner, this uncertainty has severely impacted my employees, customers and our ability to operate. We are working to comply with various federal, state and local declarations, but the larger effect of those efforts has led to furniture retail business slowing to

Their store may have to close any day, but George and Christina Mason are trying to keep up with business today. They are selling freezers and mattresses like never before – and they’ve been in business for 18 years. The Masons run Prestige Home Furnishings in Dayton, Ohio, whose inventory also includes new and refurbished refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers and washing machines. Those are all items customers are likely to need if they’re shut in at home for the next few weeks. “They want to load up now,” George said. They’ve been averaging 19 deliveries a day. “We have a great