DELTA TWP. — Gardner White, a Warren-based furniture retail chain founded more than a century ago, has opened its first Lansing area location in a former Art Van Furniture store off West Saginaw Highway.
Gardner White CEO Rachel Stewart said the new store at 8748 W. Saginaw Hwy., which opened its doors in April, is part of a broader expansion for the brand.
“We’ve really concentrated on the Metro Detroit region for a while,” Stewart said. “We’ve really, over the past couple of years, solidified a sort of a world class team that’s moved to Michigan to support our growth and now with that team, we’re able to deliver on the growth.”
The company has expanded in Michigan, opening more than a dozen stores in the last year, she said. It operates a total of 32, including one that opened recently in Ohio.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot West Saginaw Highway property is near retail development Delta Crossings. It was occupied by Art Van Furniture for several years. The company closed its locations after declaring bankruptcy six years ago.
Gardner White, which offers everything from living room, bedroom room, dining room and office furniture to mattresses, lighting and rugs, has been interested in the Lansing area market for years, Stewart said.
“We’re coming to Lansing for the first time, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Flint,” she said. “There’s a lot going on here.”
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The new store offered a “scale and growth opportunity,” Stewart said. The building was renovated with upgrades to its bathrooms, as well as new carpet and paint.
The location’s “soft opening” was April 10, she said. A grand opening is expected in mid-August. Gardner White is leasing the building, and the location will employ around 40 people, she said.
The chain sells items from several lines including Cindy Crawford Home, Behold Home, Drew & Jonathan Home, La-Z-Boy, Tempur-Pedic, Liberty and others.
Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Metro Detroit furniture chain opens first Lansing area location
Reporting by Rachel Greco, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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