5/08/08

World of furnishing choices at local stores

by Beckye Randall

Furniture World, located at 11031 Smokey Point Blvd. in north Marysville, has long been known for its expansive selection of unique furniture and accessories. The showroom features attractive displays of furniture groups for living rooms, dining rooms, home offices, media rooms and much more.

With the November opening of its sister store, Mattress World, at 9114 State Avenue, the business has been able to offer greater selection than ever before at both locations. Mattress World, as the name implies, focuses on bedroom furnishings including name-brand mattress sets, stylish bedroom suites and an expanded selection of kids’ furniture.

Gail Raymond is one of the owners of the family-run business, handling most of the “back office” tasks of bookkeeping, inventory and billing. Her sons, Jim and Jeff, manage the day-to-day operation of the stores.

“Our family has more than 40 years’ experience in the furniture business,” said Gail Raymond. “Jim’s been in the business for over 20 years, and Jeff for about 15 years.”

Furniture World does a tremendous volume in the popular styles from Ashley Home Furnishings, although Raymond noted they offer many diverse lines of furniture.

“No matter what the customer is looking for, we either have it or have access to it,” she said.

As part of its extensive selection of whole house furnishings, Furniture World stocks a wide variety of entertainment centers that are perfect for the popular flat-screen TV models. To complete the TV-watching environment, the store also carries a big selection of recliners and motion furniture.

Much of the company’s success can be attributed to the family’s dedication to customer service. “Personal service is our number one goal,” said Raymond.

“Most of our employees have been with us since the beginning,” she explained. “We’re all like a big family, and our customers are an extension of that family.”

The Raymonds operated a Furniture World store on Hwy. 99 in Lynnwood, next to the Business Costco, until the building was destroyed by an arson fire several years ago.

“We’re definitely planning to reopen the store at the same location in Lynnwood,” Raymond confirmed. “We have our plans in hand and are working on permits. We hope to be open again in Lynnwood by late summer or early fall.”

Until then, north Snohomish County residents can count on finding great selection, fair prices and outstanding service at Marysville’s Furniture World and Mattress World locations.

Caption: Jeff Raymond (left) and his brother Jim help run the family's furniture businesses at Furniture World and Mattress World in Marysville.