Everyone knows that quality, well-built and nice-looking furniture can have a big impact on a home, and on the morale of its occupants.聽
During the spring time, upgrading furniture can be a big part of a spring home renovation or restoration. And Estevan has options for those looking to find new furniture.聽
Room by Room Furniture has been meeting the furniture needs of the community for more than 15 years. Co-owner聽Barry O鈥橦andley said the spring time is typically when they sell a lot of patio furniture, now that people are eager to get outdoors. And they still sell a lot of items for the bedroom, the kitchen and the living room at their 14,000 square foot store.
鈥淧eople may discover they鈥檙e going to renovate a little bit, and at the same time, usually when they do that, they鈥檙e looking at changing some furniture, because when you鈥檝e had to stay in your home all day pretty well, or the majority of the day, it鈥檚 going to make a difference in how you do things.鈥�
New furniture can enhance a home, he said, in much the same way that paint or accessories can help out. And they have still have customers looking to purchase items during the past few weeks.聽
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a lot of challenges. The store is closed to the public but they still have options for people who want to purchase something from the company. Customers are still calling them to book an appointment, and that has helped them pay their bills.
鈥淢y wife Pat and I have been in business since 1974, and I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever seen anything like this as far as having to adjust business.鈥�
Social distancing is a priority at their business, and they place a premium on sanitizing touch points, and the staff will wear masks if requested. Customers have handled the situation well, and Room by Room is looking forward to May 19, when the provincial government says retail stores can open again.聽
Trina Milford from The Brick said they had a good start to the year, and January was particularly busy. They were selling a lot of appliances, such as laundry sets, and they were also selling mattresses and other pieces of furniture.聽
Patio furniture and barbecues would typically be top sellers entering the spring and summer season, but this year appliances and indoor furniture have been top sellers in March and April.聽
Milford believes new furniture adds a lot to a home鈥檚 appearance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 your area rugs, your lamps, your pictures, everything that ties into together definitely finishes it off, but most certainly it can make a big, big difference.鈥�
And the patio can definitely do a lot for a home鈥檚 outdoor appearance during the spring and summer months.聽
The Brick has been closed to public access since mid-April, although they still have customers coming in for pickups, payments and essential items. Online shopping has increased, and it鈥檚 been a good way to keep contact with their customers.
聽鈥淲hen customers were coming into the door, our number 1 priority was to keep them healthy and safe, and we started pre-qualifying at the door to see what they were coming in for, and to assist them as soon as we could, keeping that six-foot distance.鈥�
They are looking forward to opening again on May 19, and they鈥檙e excited to see old customers and new faces, and do their part to flatten the curve of COVID-19.
Jerry Van Roon from Sholter and Horsman Furniture and Appliances said the last few weeks have been a challenge. Some of the factories they deal with were closed, but they have reopened, enabling them to get products back on their shelves.聽
The long-time business has a variety of merchandise for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and the outdoors.
They鈥檙e trying to adapt certain elements of their business, including their website, so that it鈥檚 more user-friendly for people.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to stay afloat like everybody else,鈥� said Van Roon. 鈥淲e鈥檙e doing things that we didn鈥檛 used to. When a customer comes in, we鈥檙e cleaning the door handles and we鈥檙e cleaning the counters and the washrooms. You鈥檙e doing more of that now than you ever have.鈥�
They have shown products to the customers while maintaining social distancing, and most people are adapting to the changes.
The sale of appliances means that Sholter & Horsman has been classified as an essential service, and so they鈥檙e able to remain open. Appliances have accounted for the bulk of their sales, but they are still selling some furniture.
Van Roon said it鈥檚 important for them to continue to meet their customers鈥� needs in any way they can, and he reminded people about the need to shop locally in this time, regardless of whether it鈥檚 at Sholter & Horsman or another business in the community. Local businesses are strong supporters of the community and all that happens in Estevan, and they will continue to do that once the pandemic is over.
