Wells Discount Furniture Turns 50

Sofas, sleepers, recliners and beds were the nuts and bolts of the furniture business in 1958. Today, sofas, sleepers, recliners and beds are the nuts and bolts of the furniture business.

All’s Wells – Wells Discount Furniture Inc. staff is left to right: Ken Schreiber, Floyd Norlin, Brett Wells, Paula Robinson, Jerrime Steele and Bucky Fields. “We’ve been hanging around for a long time together,” said Brett about the Wells Furniture staff. “We know each other extremely well and that’s a good thing. It helps in the way we do business.”

Wells Discount Furniture Inc., 2925 Main, serves as a testament to the fact that the furniture business has stayed much the same through half a century. Last month, it celebrated 50 years in business at its original location.

“No, the furniture business hasn’t changed that much in all thellsose years,” admitted store manager Brett Wells.

Brett’s grandfather, Rene, partnered with Ed Thompson to open Wells Discount Furniture in a small structure that now serves as the offices and bedding area for the business. The rest of the 20,000-square foot showroom of Wells came about a decade later. Thompson left in 1972, turning Wells into a family-owned business.

Brett began working for Wells as a deliveryman 33 years ago and ultimately carried on his grandfather’s legacy, serving as store manager for the past 18 years.

“We have low overhead and that keeps our prices low everyday,” said Brett, explaining how Wells Discount Furniture has weathered 50 years in a competitive furniture-sales market. “We have quality and expert service. There’s roughly 100 years of experience of all of us working here. We have free delivery, friendly service, special orders. There are many reasons for people to shop with us.”

On average, Wells brings in about 16 furniture trucks a week, which adds selection and keeps prices low for customers, said Brett. In a brisk sales month, Wells will sell about 60 sets of bedding and 50 recliners, Brett estimated.

For extra-value shoppers, Wells also carries a varied selection of new products in its Bargain Bin backroom of mostly discontinued furniture items.