The Wednesday opening of the new 40,000 square foot Ashley Furniture, at 4400 Kell West Blvd., coupled with the future opening of Furniture Row, on Call Field Road, might create a furniture future of fruitful proportions.

“The competition, as I see it, is only good for local consumers,” said Dan Dropka, store manager at Lack’s Home Furniture.

By basically adding only one more furniture store, Furniture Row, to the area competition, Dropka said he doesn’t expect much of a decline in anybody’s business.

Although Wichita Falls has several furniture stores, the new businesses are welcome additions.

“Keeping in mind that within a 60-mile (radius) there are nearly 400,000 people,” local BCI President Tim Chase said “there is a huge demand for all our local retailers.”

And buying furniture is one of a few products that inflation hasn’t really altered, Dropka said.

The added competition, from the updated Ashley’s and new Furniture Row, will only increase selection, he said.

“We are fortunate to have a number of great furniture and home accessory stores to serve our large trade area,” Chase said.

Depending on the type, style or size of a piece of furniture, finding that perfect table or chair shouldn’t be that big of a problem. Getting it at that perfect price should get easy as well.

The number of discount sales is left to individual retailers, Dropka said. So Wichita Falls might just have to take the “wait and see” approach.

“As far as Lack’s is concerned…we’re going to keep doing the same quantity of sales,” Dropka said. But offering a better selection of better quality at better prices will be Lack’s main goal, he said.

“I’m confident our retailers know their respective markets well enough to meet their customers’ needs by providing a very diverse selection at competitive prices,” Chase said.

The additions are “going to be a great thing for Wichita Falls and the consumer as a whole,” Dropka said.

Business reporter Clayton J. Hein can be reached at HeinC@timesrecordnews.com or by phone at (940) 763-7597.

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