More than Furniture: The Inspiring Journey of What's New Furniture

Image by What's New Furniture

Have you ever walked into a furniture store that felt like home? A place where you felt inspired to dream, design, and create? A place where you knew you would find the kind of furniture that captures your personality and expresses your style—or perhaps something new and unexpected?

What's New Furniture has experienced a transformation few family-owned businesses can boast: becoming a community staple. With over a decade in the furniture business, What’s New Furniture has helped customers of all ages and stages find furniture fitting their unique needs and style.

Eclectic chairs, stylish sofas, trendy accents – you’ll find everything and more on the floor at What’s New Furniture. And while the furniture selection and customer service are second-to-none, the story behind this unique business makes What’s New Furniture so special.

A Hardworking Furniture Family from Humble Beginnings

The story of What's New Furniture begins in 2010 when Jody opened the doors of What’s New Furniture to residents. Today, over a decade later, her son-in-law and daughter, Jess, a passionate designer with a love for second-chance furniture, took over the store to continue its legacy. The goal? To create a space for creative minds to come together and find pieces perfectly reflecting their style. The store enjoyed success for many years, building a community around the concept that furniture can make any room unique and special.

Meet Jody

Born into a family of builders and construction workers, Jody's eye for design began when she was young. Watching intricate and practical designs brought to life with careful attention to detail, Jody fell in love with creating something new from something used. Her experience was the springboard for her decision to bring What's New Furniture into a new era—one defined by a welcoming atmosphere, a slower shopping pace, and an emphasis on the potential of repurposing unwanted furniture.

Patrick, a dedicated furniture enthusiast and long-standing member of the original furniture company, continued his journey with Jody when she acquired the business. As Jody transitioned it into What's New Furniture, Patrick remained a valued member of the team, driven by his deep passion for furniture. Although they are not business partners in the traditional sense, Patrick's unwavering commitment to the industry and his dedication to What's New Furniture played a vital role in shaping the store's new mission and purpose.

Jody's mission quickly became clear: contributing to the community by helping individuals create cozy, happy homes. She began to wonder what would happen if a furniture store wanted to become more than simply a place to buy furniture. What if it wanted to be a part of creating a thriving, sustainable community?

A Family Affair

If you’ve met Jody, you know her passion is infectious! Her kids—Jess, Josh, and Jordan—have each become part of the What’s New Furniture story. Jess managed the financing and styling, Josh took over shipment organization and purchasing, and Jordan, no longer with the company, was instrumental in creating the store's original website. Together, Jody and her family carefully curated the store's function and ethos. And it’s there where the success of What’s New Furniture shines: when you curate something unique with your family, you begin to see your customers and clients as more than purchases. They become part of a family.

What’s New Furniture has always been a family affair – and it continues to be that way today. Jody and her team strive to make their customers feel at home in the store, offering an inviting and warm atmosphere and friendly customer service. They learn each client’s needs, offer helpful advice to any who asks, and go out of their way to ensure they meet the customers' expectations.

Memories Made and Shared

Typically, buying furniture is a one-and-done affair. Not so with What’s New Furniture. When you walk through the doors, you are brought into an experience you can’t help but share.

After taking ownership of the store, Jody began to infuse it with a sense of community and goodwill. Early on, the family would buy lunch every Saturday for their hard working employees as an act of good faith, showing appreciation for their dedication.

A pre-pandemic favorite was fresh-baked cookies on Saturday - a small way the What’s New Furniture family could give back to their customers and remind them there’s more to life than just a great piece of furniture (though it’s a plus!).

The list of memories is long and filled with joy. Weddings, pets in the office, after-hours hangouts - working with Jody and the What’s New Furniture family was like joining a big, supportive family. Recently, when needed to be away for funerals, Josh and another team member stepped in, embodying the store’s value of supporting one another through thick and thin.

These stories capture the essence of What's New Furniture—a store about so much more than furniture. It’s about creating a space for community, connection, and care. With every piece of furniture sold, there's a story of a home transformed and a relationship fostered. As the journey of What's New Furniture continues, its mission remains the same: to help each customer create a cozy and happy home.

Second Chances:

One of the core beliefs at What's New Furniture is the idea that every piece of furniture, and by extension, every individual, deserves a second chance. Many pieces in the store have been lovingly restored and refurbished, breathing new life into previously discarded items. This philosophy not only reduces waste and promotes sustainability but also ensures each piece has its own unique history and character.

Doing Good, One Piece at a Time

For Jody and her team, giving back to the community is of paramount importance. With various initiatives ranging from supporting local charities to sponsoring events, What's New Furniture is on a mission to make a difference. A portion of every sale goes to charitable organizations, ensuring that with every purchase, customers are directly contributing to a cause.

High Style, Honest Prices:

Despite its focus on quality and style, What's New Furniture is committed to offering its customers honest, affordable prices. The belief is that everyone should be able to own beautiful, high-quality furniture without breaking the bank. Through strategic partnerships and efficient operations, the store can provide top-tier products at prices that are accessible to all.

Discover the Magic Yourself

While stories and pictures offer a glimpse into the world of "What's New Furniture," nothing compares to experiencing the quality, style, and warmth of their pieces firsthand. If you're intrigued by what you've learned about their journey, ethos, and commitment to quality, you're in for a treat. Right below, we've showcased a selection of their curated furniture. Dive in, find that perfect piece that speaks to you, and bring a touch of the "What's New Furniture" story into your own space.