L&L Furniture buys local store
SPRUCE PINE – Occupying a space on Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine, Peoples Furniture has anchored the upper street shopping district for more than 70 years. Last week the business was sold. Although the name will change, the commitment to community that people have come to expect will remain, said new owner Walton Shepherd.
While Walton and his wife, Kayla Shepherd may be new to the furniture business, “….Thursday was our first day in the furniture business,” said Shepherd, they are not newcomers to the area. Kayla, the daughter of Jeff and Shirley Singleton, grew up in Spruce Pine.
“Peoples Furniture has been a part of our family and my wife’s family for years,” said Shepherd. “My brother-in-law works there. The store is a staple of the community and that’s what we want it to continue to be.”
Shepherd, who finishes up his current position as the shipping manager for Pactive Evergreen in Waynesville next week, said his family is excited about the new career and carrying on the tradition of community involvement that Peoples has exhibited for the past 70 years.
Peoples opened in 1936 in its current location on Oak Avenue. In 1977 Don Waldroup purchased the business and began expanding inventory.
Over the years the business has continued to expand its location and today the store’s showroom covers 20,000 square feet with an additional 30,000 square feet of warehouse space.
In January 2006 the business was purchased by Don’s son and daughter-in-law Ken and Trish Waldroup.
“Ken and Trish have been fantastic,” said Shepherd. “They are part of the reason we made the decision to buy the store. We wanted to continue the tradition they have set of really being a part of the community. They are hard-working people who are committed to Spruce Pine. We want to be able to grow the business, keep people employed and be more than just a business. We want to be able to support the community and contribute to its growth.”
The name of the business will change to L&L Furniture.
“It’s our children’s initials Liam and Lillian (ages 5 and 1),” said Shepherd. “What won’t change will be the many years of experience that the current employees of Peoples will bring to our team. They will be staying with us and Ken will be with us for the next six months as we make the transition.”
Shepherd said the staff and their approach to doing business was a key selling point when he and Kayla looked at the business.
“We are just so excited to be presented this opportunity to work in a beautiful area with some of the best people you will ever meet,” said Shepherd.
As they get settled in Shepherd said L&L Furniture will continue to carry the traditional lines of home furnishings that Peoples now offer, but they are also open to new ideas.
“Right now we will focus on getting the items and furniture lines in the store that people are looking for,” said Shepherd, adding that they will be bringing appliances back to their inventory.
“We’re open to new concepts and are committed to being customer service friendly. If there is something you’re looking for, come see us.”
Shepherd said he and Kayla will continue to operate the furniture store as a “family affair. It’s a family business. We both bought in to the store. We both want to be a part of this community. We both feel like it’s a great opportunity to be somewhere we love, working with the best group of people. We’re committed to the business, the community, and to making this home.”