Brothers return to Meridian to offer unique home furnishings

By Ida Brown / senior staff writer

May 13, 2008 01:13 am

— After more than 10 years away, Meridian natives Bo and Adam Pennebaker have come home to offer residents a unique furniture buying experience.
"We do furniture in a completely different way than the traditional furniture model," said Bo, who is co-owner with his brother of Ashley Furniture HomeStores, located at 1187 Bonita Lakes Circle (formerly Books-A-Million).
"Our specific way of doing business is with the vertical business model – being both the manufacturer and the retailer," he said. "We both design and build it, and then we deliver it. The customer is exposed to and has access to values that are truly second to none in the marketplace; which affords us to provide products for all customers."
The store's grand openening is today at 10 a.m. and will include a ribbon cutting, as well as the opportunity to register for a $20,000 furniture giveaway.
The first Ashley Furniture HomeStore opened in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1997. Since then, more than 300 locations have opened in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Japan.
"We're the largest retailer in the country, backed with the largest manufacturer in the country," Pennebaker said. "And as a result, we have the buying power and the infrastructure to manufacture products at exceptional values."
He describes the Ashley Furniture shopping experience as "fun," allowing the customer to be creative with their individual needs and tastes.
"In all product categories – both high end and value products," Pennebaker said.
Because of the company's vast selection of products, it is often compared to "big box retailers," such as Wal-mart and Best Buy.
"We're a network of licensed stores that are all independently owned and operated," Pennebaker said. "We're privately held companies, and the money stays local."
In addition to furniture, Ashley also offers linen collections and home accessories.
"This is a dream come true for us to be able to come back home and provide this for local and area residents," Pennebaker said. "We welcome everybody to come out and take a look – whether you need furniture or not."

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