Havertys Furniture, located at 3431 Wedgewood Lane, had its grand opening recently. According to Rebecca Gilbert, the business’s general manager, workers had already sold over $15,000 worth of furniture to residents who came in for a sneak tour before the store even opened.
“It was a good way for residents to walk through the showcase to see what we are offering,” Gilbert said. “It also gave the staff a chance to prepare and test out the systems and get acclimated to the store before the chaos of the grand opening.”
Freebies were given to the first 200 customers during the store’s grand opening.
“We stashed away a few extras, just in case,” Gilbert added.
The grand opening was attended by Rawson Haverty, the great-grandson of Havertys Furniture’s founder and the company’s senior vice president (SVP) of real estate.
“Here at the store, we’re all like family,” he told the staff at the opening. “There is a deep passion and history of servicing others in our mission, and while we have been trying to open a store in The Villages for around 15 years, I can honestly say we are so excited to open and accept our customers into our family.”
Gilbert is likewise ecstatic when people come in.
“One thing we are doing in this store that is exclusive to The Villages location is we are selling candles with inspiring quotes (that) say ‘The Villages’ on them,” she said. “We bought them from a couple in North Carolina, so not only are we putting our personal touch on the customers, but we are helping small businesses too, and it’s been hard trying to open in a pandemic.”
In addition to the candles, Jim Drawdy, the store’s director of sales engagement, said that all deliveries for furniture under $3,000 would be $99, while all deliveries for furniture over $3,000 would be $199.
At the opening, he told the crew, “We want to make our customers feel appreciated, and we will deliver as far as Ocala.”
Elaine and Cliff Gorby, of the Village of Glenbrook, came into the store to see what was available.
“The store is really nice,” Elaine said. “If I stay in here too long, I might purchase half the store.” Cliff took a seat in a chair as his wife explored the available things in the store.
“They really have some nice furniture in the showroom,” he said. “It’s fairly priced as well.”
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit havertys.com or call 352-561-7045 for additional information.
