Furniture Stores See Boom in Pandemic

Fenton Home Furnishings has always been known for its quality furniture and outstanding customer service.

It continued to live by that mantra even when COVID-19 forced owners to shut their doors for nearly three months. COVID-19 has brought much uncertainty for businesses. While many continue to struggle, the family-owned business, is now booming because of its solid communication with both employees and customers alike.

Fenton Home Furnishings — with locations in Frankenmuth, Lapeer, Waterford and Fenton — was enjoying a successful year when the coronavirus stopped business in its tracks.

“Just like everyone else, we didn’t know what to expect and we had to close,” said Frankenmuth store manager Kim Kumritis. “But Mr. (Gerry) Willey called every employee nearly every day asking if there was anything we needed. Then, Rodney (Willey) retrieved all the active-order files from each location. He took them to the home office and called each person and told them what to expect. We had phone calls from the different locations funneled to the home office.”

And they followed the governor’s executive orders to the letter. One employee handled deliveries from vendors. Then, the store was open by appointment only. Today, the business is up and running seven days a week.

“Business has been insane,” said Kumritis. “People were forced to stay at home and they’d say, ‘Let’s redo this room or let’s redo that room.’”

“Safety is our top priority,” said co-owner Rodney Willey. “Our stores are big enough to offer ample social distancing between people. Face masks can be found at all entrances, and throughout the day, high touchpoints are sanitized for more protection.”