As much as I’d like to credit planning, keen thought and a business savvy to rival Bill Gates – the truth is the showroom at Ashley Furniture has evolved into what it is today in a rather organic, serendipity sorta way. Kinda like this:
Amazing Volunteer – “Hey Susan – the couple of vignettes we have up front sure look good and we seem to sell the furniture we stage that way faster. Have you noticed?”
Me – “Yes and I agree.”
AV – “What if we staged more furniture in vignettes?”
Me – “Sounds like a plan.”
Thus we’d slap down an area rug, arrange furniture on it and – in this manner – slowly turned most of the store into fun little vignettes and a 30,000 square foot furniture lovers dream became reality.
Unfortunately, it’s a nightmare for anyone actually moving the furniture. Any aisles are accidently at best and often impossible to navigate. To move something a customer has purchased might mean first moving three other pieces of furniture. Warehouse frustration abounded and – occasionally – I even heard a naughty word or two uttered (the horror!).
With the hopes of saving innocent ears within hearing of Ashley Furniture – this morning the football team from Glenbard West High School will be moving our vignettes into a grid system that Dan Snyder (Ashley Furniture Warehouse Manager) has been working on for weeks.
So, what might the store look like when you come in today from 1 to 8 or tomorrow from 9 to 4? God only knows! But our goal is to make it easier to wander through without fear of becoming lost and dehydrated!
What follows are photos of some of what was donated this week:
micro-suede sofa in good condition priced $65
cool black dresser priced $75; art deco pleather and black metal chair for $30
slip-covered sofa – slip-covers need to be cleaned – priced $65
purple sofa – issues where the piping is ripped – priced $20; matching purple chair (actually in better condition than the sofa) for $25
nice six drawer dresser priced $80
lovely pale yellow loveseat for $85
wonderful muted colors on this Room & Board chair and ottoman in great condition – priced $195 for both pieces
this is a fabulous cast aluminum outdoor patio set which includes: stone top table, two swivel rockers and two ottoman and cushions – priced $245 for the set
fun and funky futon – needs to be cleaned and somewhat faded – priced $85
lovely Broyhill floral sofa for $95; matching push-back recliner for $50
we received three of these fabulous solid wood tables from an area business this week. They are gorgeous! Need a little cleaning/re-staining – but otherwise massive 3’ x 6’ tables. Priced $95 each
lovely clothing armoire (shelves behind doors) priced $135; matching cedar bottom trunk for $95
this is a two piece Hooker brand desk with lighted hutch (missing one knob) in great condition priced $125
six gorgeous dining room chairs (two with arms and four without) in a great tan check – I saw one or two spots that need cleaning otherwise really in excellent condition – selling all six chairs for $220
my camera’s losing it – first photo is a more accurate depiction of the fun yellow color of this very comfortable Lane recliner – priced $150
adjustable top drafting table – I believe donor used it as a craft table – top sits at bar height – priced $60
this is quite a set – all solid wood frames/arms – sofa is priced $50; four captain’s chairs are $80 for all four; small wooden pedestal side table is $30; matching loveseat is $30; recliner for $20
this is a very nice gray? tan? greenish gray? (oh how I hate the lighting in our store – if you’re interested feel free to take a cushion out into the sunlight to see the REAL color of this sofa) priced $95
Flexsteel chair for $55
swivel rocker/recliner for $85
fabulous plaid wingback for $85 (crayon marks on one side of the seat cushion)
cream colored sleeper sofa for $80
sweet Sealy loveseat priced $95
two blue wingback chair – I thought they were matching but they don’t look like it in my photos so I’m now second guessing myself – priced $65 each
wonderful bookcases – $75 each
Ethan Allen side chairs (note the wonderful pineapples on the back of each chair ) in excellent condition priced $65 each
In the name of full disclosure – I have to confess I’ve given poor Dan a lot of push back about rearranging the entire showroom. I just don’t think 30 football players can get it done in 2 1/2 hours –and they probably won’t – but Dan pointed out it will be an excellent first step toward making it much easier to move furniture in the showroom. And he’s right.
Since moving furniture – and helping area kids and families through the programs and services at Outreach Community Ministries, dear reader – is what we’re all about at Ashley!
Oh – please note, we WILL BE OPEN Friday, July 5th (from 1 to 8) and Saturday, July 6th (from 9 to 4) so plan your 4th celebration with that in mind!
Comments "Ashley Furniture weekly update for Friday, June 28, 2013"
Posting Komentar