After 78 Years, This Iconic Furniture Chain Closes With No Bankruptcy
Imagine wandering into your favorite furniture store one last time, the nostalgia thick enough to upholster a sofa. That’s the bittersweet reality facing Salisbury and neighboring communities as Outten Brothers Home Furnishings, a local staple for 78 years, shutters its doors—not with a bankruptcy, but in a careful, community-focused farewell.
A Snapshot of a Changing Marketplace
It’s no secret that replacing a couch or splurging on a new kitchen table isn’t most people’s top priority these days. Why buy new when you can patch, repurpose, or scroll through Facebook Marketplace for something lovingly pre-owned? While that thriftiness has always existed, seismic shifts in the furniture industry—and our living habits—were turbocharged by the Covid pandemic.
During lockdowns, with the world on pause, many took the opportunity to change their home surroundings. Some opted for a plusher couch as Netflix marathons became the norm, while others launched full-blown home renovations. These choices sent ripples through the furniture industry, resulting in what Jay Zagorsky, an economics professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, described as a “Covid boom and bust.” From Peloton bikes to fireworks, and certainly home furnishings, sales soared at the end of the pandemic—then plummeted just as sharply as priorities shifted.
Why the Slowdown Now?
Post-pandemic, we collectively swapped our DIY toolkits for boarding passes. As RTMNexus CEO Dominick Miserandino observed, the era of “scaling up home improvement” quickly gave way to a “travel mindset of experiences.” The furniture world is now left grappling with softened demand, especially for the big-ticket items that once defined Outten Brothers’ showroom.
- Fewer people need to buy new couches, tables, or bedroom sets right now.
- Interest in home refreshes leans toward smaller, less costly items.
- Major furniture purchases are on hold for many, held back by economic uncertainty and persistent interest rates.
“Softness in big-ticket furnishings and furniture will persist until interest rates come down. At present, people are more willing to buy smaller things as part of simple home refreshes,” Zagorsky explained to Forbes.
The End of an Era for Salisbury
This challenging landscape proved too much even for icons. Outten Bros. Inc. was founded in 1947 by Edward Outten and his brothers. They built a reputation for outstanding customer service—from home deliveries to flexible in-house financing. Edward opened the landmark Salisbury store in 1958. After his 1992 retirement, his son Jeff kept the tradition alive, steering the company for over twenty years.
It was truly a family affair. Jeff’s children—April, Michael, and Jason—made up the third generation to work in the family business. During those years, Jeff also developed a meaningful friendship with warehouse manager Roland Powell Jr. In 2016, Powell bought the business, further embedding himself into the Outten legacy, and rebranded it as Outten Brothers Home Furnishings. In a poetic turn, Powell and April married in 2023, extending the sense of continuity that the Outten name represents within the community.
As Powell said, “Outten Brothers has always been about family, service, and community. It’s been an honor to carry on this legacy, and April and I are deeply grateful to our customers for supporting us through the years.”
One Last Sale: Snap Up a Piece of History
The final curtain is anything but quiet. Outten Brothers’ last liquidation sale opens to the public on October 2, with discounts hard to resist:
- Home goods slashed by 65%
- Deals on all remaining furniture
The building itself is even up for sale, a milestone and, for many, a symbol of both an ending and a new beginning.
Conclusion: Cherish Community Institutions While You Can
Salisbury bids farewell to a business built on more than just furniture, but on decades of service, integrity, and family ties. Outten Brothers’ story is not just about market forces and shifting trends—it’s about the kind of business that shapes a community. So if you find yourself resisting the urge to buy that new sofa, perhaps it’s worth a visit—if only to say thanks and carry a little comfort home.
With a discerning eye for exceptional craftsmanship and timeless beauty, Edward has dedicated his career to sourcing and curating fine antique furniture from across USA. His deep appreciation for historical design, from Georgian elegance to Art Deco sophistication, guides collectors and enthusiasts in discovering pieces that tell stories of bygone eras. Through his expertise and genuine passion, he helps preserve the artistry of master cabinetmakers while bringing distinguished character into contemporary homes.
