The Furniture First Board of Directors approved the applications of two retailers to join the national buying group in their June meeting: Gallatin Valley Furniture and Harding’s Attica Furniture.
Gallatin Valley Furniture in Bozeman, MT was established in 1946 by Don and Veronica DeCosse. In 1972, their son Jim began his career in the furniture store followed by their son-in-law and daughter, Dennis and Michelle Cattin, in 1975. The store expanded its showroom from its downtown location and expanded again to 36,000 square feet in 1990 in order to allow for expansion of the floor covering business. In 2006, Gallatin Valley Furniture became a fourth generation business with Brian Cattin, Dennis and Michelle’s middle son, joining the team. Greg Cattin, their youngest son, also joined the business and now the brothers are overseeing a renovation of the store.
Harding’s Attica Furniture and Flooring was established in Attica, New York in 1973 after Gordon Harding sold his grocery store. He decided to refocus his entrepreneurial endeavors in a new retail sector and opened Attica Furniture and Flooring with the help of his wife Sally and his family. Gordon’s entrepreneurial spirit has been passed down to his children, Ted, Mike, and Debbie, who now run the store. Ted’s son Luke has also joined the staff, bringing three generations into the business.
“Just like a family, our members are all distinct from one another, but they share something in their character that helps them work together. That combination of diversity and common interest makes us stronger as a group,” said Andrew Kauffman, CEO of Furniture First. “We’ve seen time and again when a member has a problem they need to solve, they can turn to their fellow members for advice and recommendations on how to move forward. Gallatin and Harding are great additions to the Furniture First family are we’re excited to get to know them better.”
Furniture First is a cooperative national home furnishings and mattress buying group serving full line independent retailers with sales over $2 million. The group represents 472 store fronts in 47 states, collectively generating $2 billion in retail sales.
Furniture First’s Las Vegas showroom, A-810, will display the group’s private label mattress line, Mattress 1st, at the upcoming Market, along with selections from several of the group’s vendor partners. For more information on Furniture First Membership, please visit www.FurnitureFirst.coop/join or call 800-411-3477.