One Stop Home Furnishings has a rich Camas history and a proven track record at recognizing trends and being there for their customer base. We sat down with store owners Dave and Molly Fletcher as they answered questions about business, family, and local history. Please enjoy this Q&A format.
The store is located at 2140 SE 8th Avenue, right at the SR 14 roundabout and on-ramp.
How long has One Stop Home Furnishings been here?
The business started in 1954, when it was incorporated. My grandfather started it in the One Stop Shopping Center, the same complex where Domino’s Pizza is today. My grandmother was a driving force. My grandparents built that shopping center. It was one of the first in the northwest, and it was revolutionary. There was free parking. They had a grocery store, a shoe store, a hardware store, Nan Henriksen’s father had a drug store — all in one center. I remember as a kid going to some of those stores.
Hazel and Mickey Schwary were the ones who started it in 1954. Then dad and mom, Winn and Joanne Fletcher, came in 1958.
They started in the back side where the driving school used to be. Then after my father came in, they expanded, and added furniture and mattresses. Eventually, we moved into the anchor spot, and then we moved into this much larger location on April 1, 1998. We’ve been here 21 years.
We were in the old place for 44 years, and we’ve been here at this location for 21 years, so now we’re the oldest independent furniture store by quite a bit.
We bought the business from my mom and dad, and I’ve been working it since 1983. Molly came in seven years ago full-time. Needless to say, it’s a family business. We work pretty hard at it.
We’ve been here almost 65 years. And, there are several other longtime local family-run businesses, as well — such as Lutz, Gunderson Les Schwab Tires, Runyan’s, Westlie Ford, Columbia Litho and Washougal Lumber. We all have longevity. I believe that businesses don’t hang around a long time if they don’t treat customers well.
What do you want to be known most for?
Good quality product at good prices and great values. I think also the fact that we’ve been here so long people can trust us. And, if a problem arises, we react quickly. We work hard to maintain a good reputation in the community.
We get a lot of five stars on our ratings, but this is how we grew up — by taking care of people. We take care of people, not account numbers.
It’s a pretty personal approach, we’re not on commission here. It’s a “turtle and the hare” type of approach, and we’re the turtle. The pace is a little different than some stores. Doing business this way is more comfortable and fun. This is the type of business we really enjoy.
We’re also very proud of the 59-year run we had selling appliances, but it got to the point where there were too few places to buy furniture, and many places to buy appliances. We felt there would be an increasing need for furniture and mattresses in our area, due to growth projections. The trick is staying current, and adapting to new trends.
My wife is so good with colors and decorating. We have designers that we work with, and we do have a few that we recommend.
I would say we have a friendly atmosphere, we go out of our way by helping people match up what they have in their minds with what we can offer. We don’t expect to close every sale, but we are very competitively priced.
What are all the things you sell?
Stanton — we like them because they’re local and family owned, been around for 40+ years. Beautyrest, Serta, Ashley, England Furniture, which is owned by Lazy Boy, which is made in Tennessee. They have so many fabrics. Aspen makes case goods, anything with wood — bedroom sets, dining sets, occasional tables. Whittier Wood, made in Eugene, is also a very quality line. We have 12-15 brands that we do most of our business with.
Why should people visit One Stop Home Furnishings?
Price is always king. You don’t stay in business for 65 years if you’re not priced well. Plus, there’s there personal touch. If there are problems we will deal with them because it’s a personal thing to me. I take it personally if we goof up.
We really try to make sure that people get what they pay for, and we want people to know we care.
We say hello and let people absorb what we have, there’s no pressure here.
We have an upstairs bargain area, too. Our main focus, though, is selling quality items.
And, it’s been interesting over these 65 years, we’ve seen many brands that didn’t survive us.
I went to Camas High School, graduated in 1974, and I’ve seen a lot of changes to the area.
We go to two furniture markets each year and we keep up with new products, colors, fabrics, and styles. Every 18-24 months colors start to change.
Even in today’s Internet world, we encourage customers to try it before they buy it. Lay down, sit down, recline, feel it. Usually with things you’re going to sleep on, you would feel more comfortable trying it instead of just hoping it works.
We’re quite a different store from 10 years ago by getting out of the appliance business and upgrading much of our furniture offerings.
People are usually surprised and, hopefully, impressed by what they see inside. If someone has never been in before, we always invite them to stop in for just a visit. Plus, come by and meet our four-legged mascots, Cubby and Cooper!
Visit www.OneStopHomeFurnishings.com to learn more.
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