Furniture store takes shelter in Video Choice to weather economic storm

In rich times, it's good to be a furniture retailer. What goes better with a new television than a new couch, right? And when upgrading to a bigger house, the small dining room set from the starter home just wouldn't look as nice as a new one.

However, when the economic climate turns the other way and homeowners don't have equity to borrow against, or energy prices have depleted a family's "new couch" fund, businesses like Lakes Region Furniture have to get creative in order to stay active.

The mother-and-son team of Jeff and Linda Goyette, who own Lakes Region Furniture, think they've found just the solution by moving their showroom from Tilton to downtown Laconia, inside the Video Choice movie rental store on Main Street.

"Downtown has a lot to offer," said Linda. What downtown offers Lakes Region Furniture is low overhead, as they share the space with Video Choice and a Sprint phone store, as well as increased visibility from the customers that those two other businesses draw in. As Linda put it, "We have a lot of people who come in for videos and say, 'Oh wow, they have furniture here. I look at it as a little minimall — you can do several things under one roof.'"

"During these tough economic times, it's wonderful to be able to share space with other companies, where everyone can benefit."

Lakes Region Furniture was started by Jeff in 2001 in Moultonborough. When Linda became part of the ownership in 2003, they opened a showroom in Tilton where they still have a warehouse. The store moved to Video Choice during the last week of October, where LInda said the lower rent will allow the business to better meet their customers' changing needs.

"We're a great source for furniture at a great value. Our low overhead means savings to the customer." Inside Video Choice, Lakes Region Furniture has less showroom space than it had before, but Linda said there's no compromise when it comes to choices for the customers, as they can still buy furniture through the vendor catalogs, which offer living room sets, bunk beds, mattresses, futons, sleep sofas, youth furniture and other items. "We sell everything," said LInda.

The store offers volume discounts, which often appeals to customers of the commercial or office furniture products they sell. The business accepts credit cards, can provide financing and will deliver the furniture, just as a larger store could.

"Going into our ninth year, we have weathered many storms and yet we're still alive," said LInda.

Lakes Region Furniture is located at 428 Main Street and is open every day of the week. For more information, call 528-3335, email lindag1051@yahoo.com, or visit www.lakesregionfurniture.com.