You can see the pride on Joel Smith’s face as he talks about Homemakers Furniture & Interiors, founded by his father and mother 80 years ago.
“My parents got me here by the values they taught me,” Smith, 75, says about the family business, which began in 1945 along Person Street downtown, when the late S. Owen Smith opened it as Home Furniture Co. “We, my brother and sister, lived by those values for a lifetime.”
The retail furniture business would move to Franklin Street under the names of Homemakers Furniture and Homemakers Furniture Gallery before relocating in 1973 to 611 W. Russell St. and it became known as Homemakers Furniture & Interiors when Lois Smith incorporated her interior design skills into the business.
“Mother had three ladies sewing draperies for her interiors in 1973,” Joel Smith said. “My mother wanted it to be more than just retail furniture.”
Joel Smith fondly remembers at age 15 working with his mother in 1965, when she would visit homes in need of draperies, those perfect living room and dining room rugs or whatever would make a house into a home.
“I loved coming to work and being with my mom and dad,” he said. “I loved going with them to the furniture shows. I loved going to the High Point Furniture Market.”
He took over in 1995, when declining health limited S.O and Lois Smith’s days at the store. S. Owen Smith was 83 when he died on Feb. 26, 1997. Lois Dansby Smith died at age 83 on April 2, 1997.
“My joy was the 30 years I had working with my mom and dad,” Joel Smith said, “and my second joy was carrying on the business. That was a lot of joy.”
He says his late brother and sister always were there with encouragement to carry on their parents’ furniture business legacy, and he says the business success belongs as much to brother S.O. “Skipper” Smith III and sister Nancy Napier Smith Hill as to him. A Fayetteville dentist, S.O. “Skipper” Smith III died at age 81 on March 27. Nancy Napier Smith Hill died at age 73 on Aug. 7, 2024.
“I had wonderful parents, a wonderful brother and a wonderful sister,” Joel Smith said.
‘With a heavy heart’
His thoughts will be with all of them as Joel Smith plans to close the business in October.
He says it is time.
“It’s been in the making,” Smith said. “I’ve realized I’m aging out. My vendors were going out of the business, and suppliers were going to China.”
He says Covid-19 and inflation have taken their toll on how business once was. Homemakers Furniture & Interiors always has been proud of its products made in America.
Make no mistake here.
Joel Smith is emphatic this is not one of those “Going Out of Business” notifications with some bargain promotions alone. Homemakers Furniture & Interiors is closing after eight decades in Fayetteville.
“After 80 incredible years, it’s with a heavy heart that we announce Homemakers Furniture & Interiors is closing its doors,” Smith has informed longtime customers. “This decision was not made lightly, and we are deeply appreciative for the support and loyalty from our customers, community and team along the way.”
For now, Smith and his sales team are clearing out the inventory.
Everything from bedroom and dining room furniture, sofas, recliners, office furnishings, bookcases, filing cabinets, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, chandeliers, artwork, oriental rugs and mirrors are being discounted.
“We’re inviting everybody to come see us,” Smith said. “It’s 25% to 50% off original prices. As soon as it’s out of here, I’m gone, and our team is gone.”
Longtime customers are already stopping by the store.
“It’s sweet tears,” he said.
Kirby Tyson, he says, wanted a hug.
“You and Homemakers are ultimate in professionalism and customer service,” Michael and Vicki Brown of Sanford wrote in an email to Jason Childers, 50, who has worked at the store since 1998 and as sales manager since 2013.
“It’s Joel’s decision,” he said. “He’s doing what he needs to do. He’s been here 50 years.”
Teresa Crumpler has worked at the store for 24 years as office manager and bookkeeper.
“I do a bit of everything,” she said, but Crumpler looks forward to retirement. “I will miss seeing everybody, but I’m ready to go home and do some things I’ve wanted to do. But it will be a little emotional.”
New tenant coming
Once Joel Smith walks out the back door of Homemakers Furniture & Interiors in October, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation will be moving in from its downtown office in Suite 401A, 201 Hay St., according to Robert Van Geons, president and chief executive officer for the FCEDC.
“We will be located there and managing it,” Van Geons said Monday about the 35,800 square foot building. “Our goal is to have a number of different defense and technology companies operating, training and meeting there. There will be a large meeting space, training rooms, private offices, demonstration labs and co-working space.
“It will be a flexible space where companies can have temporary offices, host a demonstration or get their operations started in our community, while they build their permanent home. Some may be there a few hours, once a week or have a dedicated office for months. We are targeting defense-related companies that want to train and hire our transitioning soldiers and veterans, while also providing an entry point to our market for next-generation technology companies developing innovative products in the cybersecurity, automation, communications, AI and data analytics sectors.
“We are grateful for Joel’s willingness to work with us, and we look forward to sharing more about this exciting project that would not be possible without the help of Senator Thom Tillis, whose office helped secure the required funding and ongoing support of the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. However, today is about Homemakers Furniture & Interiors and their 80 years in our community. We hope everyone will stop by to visit Joel and his team during their final sale.”
Joel Smith says he believes his late father and mother would be proud to know of what the furniture retail store will become with the FCEDC.
“My parents were very patriotic,” he said. “They would be proud of how the building will be repurposed. I’m glad this will help military folks getting out of the service, and to help young soldiers getting out and hook up with military technology.”
Epilogue
Smith says when the final day comes, there will be no emotional meltdown.
“I think my parents would be proud I carried on the business for another 30 years,” he said. “But I will feel relieved. I’m looking forward to traveling with my wife to Aruba, Blowing Rock, a little bed-and-breakfast in New Bern, and going to Holden Beach. That’s my happy place.”
Still, it is a bittersweet farewell to so many in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community and beyond who dressed their homes with “good bones” furniture and the accessories that made houses into homes.
“We’ve shared countless memories and milestones with you, and those moments will stay with us forever,” Joel Smith said on behalf of himself and his Homemakers Furniture & Interiors family business. “Thank you for being part of our journey. We hope you will stop by one last time to say goodbye. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your business.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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