RILEY’S FURNITURE AND MATTRESS
What: Furniture and mattress retailer
Where: 126 Breaden Drive, Monroe
Phone: 513-539-7307
President: Riley Griffiths
Chief Executive Officer: Shannon Griffiths Bannerman
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and closed Sundays
Website: www.rileysfurniture.com
Well-known local business Riley’s Furniture and Mattress has undertaken the store’s largest renovation project in its 45-year history.
The 30,000-square-foot furniture store interior was remodeled over a nine-month period and recently unveiled. All-new flooring was installed. Inside walls were removed and now the two-floor showroom upgrades feature more open, flowing space, said Riley’s Chief Executive Officer Shannon Griffiths Bannerman.
The mattress department was brought down to the first level and was completely renovated, Bannerman said.
Also, new products were added such as a full-line of Amish furniture.
“By doing this remodel we were not only trying to make the store more up-to-date and more modern, but we have also added lines of furniture to go with that theme,” said Bannerman, who is the daughter of President Riley Griffiths.
A second phase to upgrade the exterior is scheduled to start later this year.
The renovations are seen as an important part of efforts to keep the retailer successful another 45 years, said Bannerman, who rejoined the family business about four years ago.
“It’s important to my father to keep this business thriving in the Monroe community,” she said. “But the only way that’s going to happen is if somebody stepped up to help make that happen, so I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with my father.”
“It’s really time to catch up to the times with the physical appearance, the interior and exterior,” she said.
Competitive prices and customer service set Riley’s Furniture apart from the competition, another reason business has lasted decades, she added. Riley’s is part of a larger buying group of furniture stores called Furniture First that allows it to get the same product discounts as large, national retail chains. Also, Riley’s will match any price for sofas, tables and other furniture including lower price tags found on the Internet, she said.
Additionally, Riley’s is unique in the industry for having non-commission employees, which the ownership believes provides a stable paycheck and better quality of life. Bannerman said this means that the store’s employees can serve customers better instead of focusing on closing the deal.
“I think the biggest reason we thrived and stayed around is everybody in this business is a team,” she said.
Riley’s Furniture, which has about 40 employees, is located at 126 Breaden Drive, in Monroe. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and closed Sundays.
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