by Bonnie Stichart
Saundra’s Furniture has been a part of Colville’s retail life since 1994. It is a family-owned business. Saundra Wilma and her husband, Alan, worked together until Alan’s death in December of 2013. Genevieve Wilma, their daughter, then stepped into her father’s shoes as treasurer.
The disastrous fire of February 2013 that destroyed the original building didn’t stop the Wilma family; they set up business in their warehouse just two blocks away on Wynne Street. The new building, scheduled to open in early November, is going up on Main Street, bigger and better than before.
The new version of Saundra’s will have some new departments. The La-Z-Boy line is being expanded; everything La-Z-Boy makes will be offered in the new La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio. Another new feature, which many customers will look forward to, is the coffee shop. Shopping for furniture can be tiring; customers will be able to refresh themselves with a cup of coffee and a snack while pondering their furniture choices. The coffee shop will have both indoor seating and a covered patio for use in good weather. Saundra’s is still looking for the right person to rent the space and run the coffee shop. The second floor will have a balcony overlooking Main Street, ideally situated for parade viewing.
Something old that will be returning in December is the annual display of decorated Christmas trees sponsored by the Colville Chamber of Commerce. These beautiful trees will again be showcased in the windows of the new Saundra’s for the enjoyment of all.
The new building is huge, encasing 28,000 square feet of new furniture for every room in the house. And not just furniture – there will be window treatments, carpet, light fixtures, home entertainment, home office needs, and decorative accents for just the right look.
The knowledgeable sales personnel can answer your questions about furniture, blinds, mattresses, and anything else as they assist customers in finding exactly what they want. Saundra’s is an authorized dealer of well-known furniture brands such as Aspen, Broyhill, Flexsteel, England, La-Z-Boy, and more. Saundra’s also belongs to a buying group – Pacific Furniture Dealers – that enables the store to be competitive with prices elsewhere.
Once the new store is open, the Wynne Street location will still be used by Saundra’s as an outlet store, or an annex to the rebuilt store. However, admitted Genevieve, they aren’t quite sure yet what it will be called.
For now, business is still being conducted at 316 S. Wynne St. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saundra’s Furniture & Design can be reached by phone at 509-684-4491, or by e-mail at [email protected]. They also have an informative website – www.SaundrasFurniture.com – where customers, without leaving home, can learn more about what is available at Saundra’s. But nothing compares to seeing the furniture in person, getting a better idea of size, touching the fabrics, and “test driving” the furniture by sitting or lying down on it.
Saundra’s Furniture & Design supports local businesses, and part of that support is providing employment. In fact, before the new store opens, more employees will need to be hired and trained. Saundra’s Furniture is now taking applications.
