Cherishing a tradition that continues from one generation to next
By Sheila Long O'Mara -- Furniture Today, May 25, 2003
Cramerton, N.C. — Saturday mornings in the Long household consisted of what I consider a great routine: We'd get up, usually meet another family or two for breakfast, and then go shopping.
The shopping consisted mostly of going to the mall and walking around, but the best part came last — a stop at Baker Furniture Co., on the way home.
Keep in mind, it wasn't like we bought furniture every other week. But the tradition of shopping was one that has held true in many families over the years: Stop by the local store, see what new items are in and gab with the owners. This is a tradition that family-owned furniture stores thrive on.
Baker Furniture has undergone many changes since those Saturdays — my first recollections of the visits were from grade school, when the store was a mere 9,000 square feet. The merchandise mix then was much different from the upscale store that evolved in its place. A smattering of appliances, including televisions, once stood in the corner, four steps down from the service counter.
The appliances are now gone, as are the promotional goods that once were the backbone of the retailer's business. Today, the store focuses on medium to medium-high furnishings displayed in a beautiful setting.
When my parents were building the house in which they still live, they bought their dishwasher and stove from Baker Furniture. Later, they also bought their first microwave from there. I remember thinking at the time that it was the coolest thing. Looking back, it was among the first generation of microwaves — huge, clunky and loud. It finally died a couple of years ago and has since been replaced with a smaller, more powerful model.
But aside from the microwave, my parents bought the bulk of the furnishings for our home at Baker Furniture — from the old modular pit group that lived in our den to a reclining sofa and then to a Taylor King sofa and loveseat. (We three kids were out of the house!) The bedroom suites in each of my brothers' rooms, the sofa-sleeper in the addition and a long list of other furniture also came from Baker, as did our bedding.
All of these products were delivered by a top-notch delivery team, many of whom still work for the company today. Getting my younger brother's bedroom group up the twisting stairs and around tight angles was a sight to behold, but they managed the task with great professionalism and charm. And they succeeded despite my father's continual ribbing and jesting. A large, oak rolltop desk also made it up those stairs into my parents' sitting room under the same circumstances.
Then, we three kids grew up and left home. Now we needed furniture for college, and later for homes. For me, there was my first kitchen table and chairs, a Clayton Marcus sofa and club chair with ottoman and an early version of Lane's high-leg recliner. All of these pieces except the sofa are still in various parts of my home.
My older brother's home office group; my younger brother's upholstery; and a Bob Timberlake entertainment center that Mom has her eye on for the not-too-distant future —also all from Baker.
Much like the store itself, buying furniture is a family affair. The bulk of the store's customers are repeats, and many of those are like my family in that the tradition of shopping at Baker Furniture is passed down to the children.
What keeps those kids coming back time and time again is a commitment to customer service that makes a real difference.
Now, if only I can get Baker to expand its 50-mile delivery radius to include Columbia, S.C., where we're in the market for a master bedroom group.
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