Benfer’s Furniture Store Going Out of Business Sale
By Kay Poeth and Deborah Kline
After decades of working in the family-owned business founded by his father H. Randall Benfer, Paul and Millie Benfer announce the closing of Benfer’s Furniture Store in Beaver Springs with a “going out of business sale” now going on.
The business was established by H. Randall Benfer after purchasing the building in April, 1927, from Charles C. Wetzel who was a fine cabinetmaker and furniture dealer. At the time of the purchase, Randall was serving as Principal of the Beaver Springs Elementary School grades one through eight. Randall was assisted in the store by his wife Estella, where they occupied the living quarters of the building and raised their four children- Evelyn, Dorothy, Gloria, and Paul. Within three years he gave up his school career to focus his attention to his growing furniture business. By 1938, improvements were made and an addition was built to enlarge the furniture store with approximately 1500 feet of floor space.
One of Paul Benfer’s favorite treasures is a framed ad from June, 1938. He said, “I love the history of the 1938 ad about the grand re-opening of my Dad’s business after he built an addition to the building.” A young boy at the time, the ad announced the Grand Re-Opening of Benfer’s Furniture Store now that considerable improving had been done for stocking a larger variety of furniture including living room, dining room, and bedroom suites as well as a full line of electric refrigerators, electric ranges, oil stoves, radios, floor lamps, electric washers, Bendix Home Laundry, and more. The ad also stated that “Every visitor will be presented with a useful gift.” There were also two Grand Prize Drawings on Saturday evening. And, “every visitor will share in this free drawing beside the free gift.”
Eventually two more buildings were purchased to provide more display areas and additional storage for this thriving business. These buildings located in the same vicinity of Benfer’s Furniture Store brought with them their own historical significance to Beaver Springs. Known as Benfer’s Warehouses, the block building was purchased in August, 1945, and formerly housed the Beaver Springs Electric Light Company and the Eidon Handle Company. The wooden building situated immediately west of it was purchased in September, 1958, and was the original I.O.O.F Hall. Over the years it had other uses such as a movie theater and a sewing factory.
During its 96 years in business, quality and service at affordable prices has been a tradition at Benfer’s Furniture Store. Paul said they always wanted to provide the best services, and added that sometime in the 1950s they even gave permission for a wedding to be held in their Victorian display room. A few of the store’s various slogans over the years were: Quality Furniture at Affordable Prices”, “Furniture of Quality for a Happier Life”, “Everything for the Home”, and “Bride and Groom Shopping Center.” Not only did they carry finest wooden and upholstered furniture, but also provided customers with personal service in a warm and friendly atmosphere for a great shopping experience. The slogan during the store’s 75th Anniversary was “75 Years of Making Your House A Home”.
“There's no place like Benfer's... Since 1927.” Benfer’s Furniture Store has been a monumental local landmark and piece of Beaver Springs’ history. Paul grew up at the furniture store founded by his father, and later assumed the proprietor reins. It was eventually his own personal family home. In 1987, Paul converted the family home section into additional showroom space that allowed customers to view furniture placed in room settings, with the exception of the kitchen. The kitchen remains in use today as a kitchen known as “Paul’s Kitchen.”
In 1988, Paul’s wife Millie put her own stamp on Benfer’s Furniture Store with Benfer’s Interiors, providing the perfect complementary service to the furniture choices. Her business features its own custom fabricating shop, offering beautifully designed draperies, shades, blinds, coverings, bed ensembles and pillows. Her website is www.benfersinteriors.com.
The news is met with sadness that the institution of Benfer’s Furniture Store is closing. They are offering up to 50% off everything including fine wooden furniture, sofas, chairs, tables, mirrors, pictures, brass lamps, gift items, accessories, and antiques. Inventory is dwindling, but there is still time to purchase a “treasure” from this historic landmark of one of the grand old businesses whose store and warehouse histories have been an integral part of Beaver Springs for well over a century.
Benfer’s Furniture Store is located at 70 Pine Street in Beaver Springs. Store hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm, Friday from 10:00 am- 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm. Closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Look for sale ads on their website at benfersfurniture.com, visit them on Facebook, or call Benfer’s Furniture Store at 570-658-2511. Remember: “There's no place like Benfer's... Since 1927”.
Benfer’s Furniture Store Going Out of Business Sale
By Kay Poeth and Deborah Kline
After decades of working in the family-owned business founded by his father H. Randall Benfer, Paul and Millie Benfer announce the closing of Benfer’s Furniture Store in Beaver Springs with a “going out of business sale” now going on.
The business was established by H. Randall Benfer after purchasing the building in April, 1927, from Charles C. Wetzel who was a fine cabinetmaker and furniture dealer. At the time of the purchase, Randall was serving as Principal of the Beaver Springs Elementary School grades one through eight. Randall was assisted in the store by his wife Estella, where they occupied the living quarters of the building and raised their four children- Evelyn, Dorothy, Gloria, and Paul. Within three years he gave up his school career to focus his attention to his growing furniture business. By 1938, improvements were made and an addition was built to enlarge the furniture store with approximately 1500 feet of floor space.
One of Paul Benfer’s favorite treasures is a framed ad from June, 1938. He said, “I love the history of the 1938 ad about the grand re-opening of my Dad’s business after he built an addition to the building.” A young boy at the time, the ad announced the Grand Re-Opening of Benfer’s Furniture Store now that considerable improving had been done for stocking a larger variety of furniture including living room, dining room, and bedroom suites as well as a full line of electric refrigerators, electric ranges, oil stoves, radios, floor lamps, electric washers, Bendix Home Laundry, and more. The ad also stated that “Every visitor will be presented with a useful gift.” There were also two Grand Prize Drawings on Saturday evening. And, “every visitor will share in this free drawing beside the free gift.”
Eventually two more buildings were purchased to provide more display areas and additional storage for this thriving business. These buildings located in the same vicinity of Benfer’s Furniture Store brought with them their own historical significance to Beaver Springs. Known as Benfer’s Warehouses, the block building was purchased in August, 1945, and formerly housed the Beaver Springs Electric Light Company and the Eidon Handle Company. The wooden building situated immediately west of it was purchased in September, 1958, and was the original I.O.O.F Hall. Over the years it had other uses such as a movie theater and a sewing factory.
During its 96 years in business, quality and service at affordable prices has been a tradition at Benfer’s Furniture Store. Paul said they always wanted to provide the best services, and added that sometime in the 1950s they even gave permission for a wedding to be held in their Victorian display room. A few of the store’s various slogans over the years were: Quality Furniture at Affordable Prices”, “Furniture of Quality for a Happier Life”, “Everything for the Home”, and “Bride and Groom Shopping Center.” Not only did they carry finest wooden and upholstered furniture, but also provided customers with personal service in a warm and friendly atmosphere for a great shopping experience. The slogan during the store’s 75th Anniversary was “75 Years of Making Your House A Home”.
“There's no place like Benfer's... Since 1927.” Benfer’s Furniture Store has been a monumental local landmark and piece of Beaver Springs’ history. Paul grew up at the furniture store founded by his father, and later assumed the proprietor reins. It was eventually his own personal family home. In 1987, Paul converted the family home section into additional showroom space that allowed customers to view furniture placed in room settings, with the exception of the kitchen. The kitchen remains in use today as a kitchen known as “Paul’s Kitchen.”
In 1988, Paul’s wife Millie put her own stamp on Benfer’s Furniture Store with Benfer’s Interiors, providing the perfect complementary service to the furniture choices. Her business features its own custom fabricating shop, offering beautifully designed draperies, shades, blinds, coverings, bed ensembles and pillows. Her website is www.benfersinteriors.com.
The news is met with sadness that the institution of Benfer’s Furniture Store is closing. They are offering up to 50% off everything including fine wooden furniture, sofas, chairs, tables, mirrors, pictures, brass lamps, gift items, accessories, and antiques. Inventory is dwindling, but there is still time to purchase a “treasure” from this historic landmark of one of the grand old businesses whose store and warehouse histories have been an integral part of Beaver Springs for well over a century.
Benfer’s Furniture Store is located at 70 Pine Street in Beaver Springs. Store hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm, Friday from 10:00 am- 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm. Closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Look for sale ads on their website at benfersfurniture.com, visit them on Facebook, or call Benfer’s Furniture Store at 570-658-2511. Remember: “There's no place like Benfer's... Since 1927”.
