West End Home Furnishings Brings Iron County Shopping Closer to Home | News, Sports, Jobs

Clark is originally from East Jordan, near Petoskey in lower Michigan, and moved to the Upper Peninsula in 2001 to be near his wife Katie’s hometown of Crystal Falls.

He initially worked in banking, but said he became frustrated with limited opportunities for advancement when in 2008 he was presented with the idea of ​​opening a furniture store in Iron River.

The Genesee Street building was the site of Selin’s Furniture for decades.

Although he had no experience with furniture, Clark thought he could pull it off.

WEST END HOME Furnishings is located at 401 W. Genesee St. in Iron River. (Photo by Jim Paul/Daily News)

“At the end of the day, it’s a people business. Just treat people the way you would like to be treated. Clark said. “I’m also good with numbers, but it’s more about the people who come to the store, but they also buy from me.”

When Clark started West End Home Furnishings, Iron County already had two other furniture stores, in Crystal Falls and one just a block from his store. Over the years, these other stores disappeared and there was only West End Home Furnishings.

Clark said the challenge he faces is that many people think a furniture store in a small town means higher prices, but that’s not necessarily the case. Customers coming to West End Furnishings for the first time might be surprised by the variety and different price points: they offer quality, low-cost furniture as well as items for those who want to spend a little more.

He doesn’t often have big sales, Clark said.

“My daily sales are what other people’s super sales are” Clark said. “I’m not going to any lengths to offer a 75% cut price. My prices match their 75% off prices.

Although Clark said he doesn’t offer the customer the most expensive product, he recommends purchasing the best product a person can afford.

“I think you should buy a little better than you think, because it will make you less money in the long run.” Clark said. “Because if the quality isn’t there, you’re going to buy something new sooner or later.”

West End Home Furnishings offers furniture for every room in the home, including bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms.

Clark sells Ashley furniture, which he says is generally lower priced but still a quality product.

For those willing to pay more, West End Home Furnishings sells Best Craft, made in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Clark describes Best Craft as “good quality furniture, made the way furniture has always been made – no corners are cut.”

Mattresses, the product West End Home Furnishings sells most, are supplied by Restonic, manufactured in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Clark said the advantage of Restonic is that they still make their mattresses two-sided, one of the last manufacturers to do so. .

West End Home Furnishings also sells carpet and works with local contractors for installation. The store offers coin-sized leftovers at a great price, Clark added.

West End Home Furnishings also offers blinds that Clark will personally measure and install.

West End Home Furnishings customers can have their purchases delivered within days, while some competitors may have to place orders that take several weeks or longer.

But if the customer wants something different than what’s in the store — like a different color — they can order it, Clark said.

West End Home Furnishings is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.