PLATTSBURGH — Wendell's Furniture is open in Champlain Centre mall.
Owner Wendell Farrell said they are excited to be in Plattsburgh.
This is the fourth Wendell's Furniture location, and the first in New York.
Farrell said he started the company 12 years ago. The original location was in Milton, Vt.
"We've been in business for 12 years and we started with 12 pieces of furniture," he said. "I was broke when I started."
The corporate headquarters and main location is in Colchester, Vt.
They also operate Wendell's Vermont Bedstore in South Burlington and Wendell's of St. Albans in Vermont. Their warehouse in Colchester serves as the distribution center for their four locations.
He said business has been good even though they have had a soft opening since March 1.
"We have advertised to no one yet," Farrell said.
He said reports that the chain was coming to Plattsburgh and people who have seen the renovations at Borders have helped keep people up to date with their progress.
He said it is unusual to see a furniture store in a shopping mall, as furniture stores are by nature destination locations.
"This is a very convenient location for us," he said. "The walk-in business has been tremendous. We're very happy with the reception we've gotten from the population here."
Wendell's Furniture prides itself on customer service, Farrell said.
"We love our customers. We want our customers to be happy."
One of their signature lines is Norwalk Furniture. Farrell said the pieces are created using 100 percent U.S. content, including all of the fabric.
Their line includes pieces designed by Candice Olson. Bringing that line to Plattsburgh allows people to find the high-quality furniture to fit their high-end homes, Farrell said.
Wendell's also has a large inventory of Flexsteel products on display.
He said the success of the store is a priority because it is a family operation.
Farrell said they treat their employees like family.
"We want them to be happy. Who wants to shop in a store where the employees are unhappy?" he said.
The staff at Champlain Centre has been extremely helpful in getting the store open, Farrell said.
"The mall management has surpassed our expectations," he said. "David (Napolitan, Champlain Centre general manager) has gone out of his way to help us get in here."
Napolitan said they are pleased that Wendell's has moved into the old Borders space.
"Wendell and his team have done a fabulous job in fixing up the space. With his passion for service and no-pressure sales, he exemplifies how a business should run," he said by email.
"I would encourage customers in the Plattsburgh market to check out the wide variety of merchandise that the store carries."
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