Furniture First’s Board of Directors gathered on Friday, April 1 to break ground on the site for a new showroom that will be built at 336 South Main Street, High Point, NC. The corner had been occupied by the Plaza Café since 1989.
Furniture First is constructing a new 40,000-square-foot building, designed by Freeman Kennett Architects. Construction by Dunbar & Smith, Inc. is planned to be completed by October 2023. Each of the four floors of the new building, will have multiple outdoor entertainment areas. Furniture First will occupy the first two floors. Furniture First partner Vaughn-Bassett signed on as the fourth-floor tenant. Two other Furniture First partners, Knorr Marketing and TD Retail Card Services, will split half of the third floor. Marc DeLille of Price Commercial Properties continues to work with Furniture First CEO Andrew Kauffman on securing a tenant for the balance of the space.
Doug Bassett, president of Vaughn-Bassett said “We are thrilled about the opportunity this new space will bring us. We will have much greater visibility, not to mention a great view and customer hospitality space.”
“We are excited that Vaughn-Bassett has decided to join us,” said Kauffman. “We have been partnered with Vaughn-Bassett since 2016 and the program has grown stronger every year. Their furniture aligns well with the merchandising strategies of many of our members. It will be convenient for our members who carry the line, but our building will still allow all of Vaughn-Bassett’s customers to easily visit and view their offerings. If they happen to want to learn more about Furniture First, we will be there.”
Kauffman continued, “Both TD Retail and Knorr Marketing are important partners for our members. Now it will be even more convenient for them to touch base with these services and stay up-to-date on the latest opportunities that Furniture First brings to their members.”
"TD Retail Card Services is looking forward to our new permanent home in the Furniture First building. It will allow us to strengthen our current retail partnerships and provide an inviting space to foster new ones." said Mike Rittler from TD Retail Card Services.
"We can't wait to get into our new showroom. We will have the space we need to collaborate with our current clients and to welcome new friends into the Knorr Marketing family." Isaac Knorr, president of Knorr Marketing.
A member-owned cooperative, Furniture First’s board of directors has long sought to own a High Point property. The ambition mirrors their own business experiences – most Furniture First members own their own store properties. Kauffman commented “Our members are known for being sharp back-end operators. It was their initiative that will turn what has been an on-going expense into an investment in an asset for the whole group, in addition to building a beautiful and comfortable hub for their High Point trips.”
