ROCKFORD, IL — Family-owned Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress plans to permanently close and on May 14 begin liquidating its inventory after weeks of struggling to restructure and remain open after key retirements.
The business has been a Rockford staple for 98 years. The final liquidation sale opens to the public May 14, and the 130,000-square-foot building is up for sale.
“It has been our family’s privilege to serve so many other families and loyal customers, and we thank them all for their patience and understanding through this difficult decision and transition,” owner Dale Gustafson said in a news release.
Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress was a Rockford destination for furniture since Martin Gustafson opened the business in 1928 in a small shop on 7th Street.
In 1959, the retailer moved to a larger space in the North Towne Mall. It added the East State Street location in 2015 to grow the business. The North Towne location closed a few years later to focus on the State Street store, the news release said.
Dale Gustafson, Martin’s son, recently announced his retirement after operating the business almost 50 years with the help of his two sons, Dave and Chris.
During the liquidation sale, Gustafson’s is advertising deep discounts on all inventory including Sealy, Serta, Stearns & Foster, Temper-Pedic mattresses in addition to furniture brands like Flexsteel, HomeStretch, Leather Italia, Liberty and Southern Motion.
Home accessories will be discounted up to 50% and heirloom rugs will be available for deeply discounted prices.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: After 98 years, Rockford’s Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress to close
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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