By Kathryn M. D’Imperio

There’s just something different about shopping at a local, family-owned business. When compared to chain stores, family-run stores offer a special level of personality and service to their customers: they make their guests feel at home from the moment they walk through the door. The same is true for locally owned family furniture store, Royal Furniture of Emmaus.

Royal Furniture commemorates more than 50 years at the same location on Chestnut Street. Owner Art Gordon is the third generation to run the business, which was started by his grandfather in 1960. Art Gordon’s father, Rich also continues to work part-time at the store.

“My father, Richard Gordon, has always instilled in me that ‘the output is in direct relation to the input,’ and even in trying times it’s a good business principle to adhere to,” says Art Gordon. “The big stores will absolutely not give you the service that Royal Furniture will. People really do like to shop at a store they can trust. And that’s why we’ve been here for 50-plus years.”

Shoppers can find furniture for just about every room in the house, including bedroom, dining room, living room, home office, and more, with in-stock and special order options. Royal Furniture also offers free shipping and set-up, interior decorating services, re-upholstery, and carpeting services.

Art Gordon says some of the most popular products fall into the upholstery category, including sofas, chairs, recliners, and especially reclining couches. He says Flexsteel is a big brand for upholstered products, offering more than 2,500 different fabrics to consider. Dinettes and kitchen sets ranging from casual to semiformal also share the spotlight, with the high quality brand Canadel offering all solid wood pieces. The “Espresso” finish is still popular among consumers, although Royal Furniture stocks everything from oak to maple, cherry, and more.

Gordon says the shop can cater to any special request, from wood to fabric or leather and beyond. In all, Royal Furniture of Emmaus garners selections from more than 100 different furniture manufacturers. Guests to the store will find everything from lamps and small accessories to furnishings for enhancing entire rooms in the home.

“For over 50 years, Royal Furniture has sold fine furniture at reduced prices, and we have a policy – if you find a like item elsewhere (on the Internet or locally), we will do our very best to meet or beat that price and still provide free delivery and service after the sale,” Gordon says. “I wish that we had the advertising budget that the major stores have, but unfortunately we don’t. I’d love to get the message out that we will not be underpriced, that we have many USA suppliers, including many here from Pennsylvania, and that there are many advantages to buying local.”

Royal Furniture offers countless styles ranging from traditional to contemporary to country. Gordon says the store tries to be all things to all people as best they can, presenting many options for customization, including fabric, hardwoods, and other details. “We do a lot of customization.” “If you want a sofa and want it in red, we can get it in red, but you don’t have to get it in red. You can get whatever color you want.”

As for Royal Furniture’s staff, Gordon notes that it is a loyal group that includes sales and delivery and that they have “many, many years of experience.” When asked how Royal Furniture differentiates itself from the “big box” stores, Gordon said, they “are not pushy and our sales staff is knowledgeable and patient. The consumer can select what they want and not what the store wants off the shelf. Customers and families come back to us for the simple reason we take pride in our work and have for over 50 years. He adds: “If Royal Furniture can offer the lowest prices, personalized service, and free delivery in the area, we can and will succeed in a challenging economy.”

Sources:
Royal Furniture
637 Chestnut Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-965-4134 / 610-965-4135
www.royalfurnitureofemmaus.com