Office designers offer outlet

A new outlet furniture store aims to bring retail back to downtown.

ANDREW GAUG

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — In the past 80 years, design firm James & Weaver has worked with companies such as WYTV, Delphi Packard Electric and General Motors. Now, it’s helping people on a budget to furnish their homes and offices.

Wanting to bring retail back to downtown, company President Denise Powell decided opening a furniture outlet store would be a good solution.

James & Weaver Office Furniture Outlet opened in March at 350 E. Federal St. It includes a 10,000-square-foot showroom filled with tables, chairs, bookshelves and framed art among other items for sale.

This is an expansion for James & Weaver, which will retain its business at 22 W. Wood St. Beginning as a furniture supplier, James & Weaver now provides office designs and space planning for companies to improve efficiency and aesthetics.

Though designs and new furniture for offices can be costly, the outlet store provides a cheaper alternative.

“We have a combination of new, gently used and what we call ‘scratch and dent’ items,” Powell said.

For example, a large wood table originally valued at $2,260 sold for $340. The only visible problem with the table was some minor scratches.

Ordering is an option

If customers can’t find exactly what they’re looking for, the store has a book available with thousands of items from which to choose. Powell said delivery comes in about a week, as opposed to the six to eight weeks it takes for regular furniture to arrive.

On top of owning the store, Powell has had more than 20 years of experience working with designs and furniture. She bought James & Weaver in 2001 and has since done design jobs for WCI Steel, RTI International Metals and First Place Bank as well as other companies.

This isn’t the first time a design firm has opened up an outlet store, Powell said, noting one exists in Cleveland.

Even though the outlet store offers desks and other office furniture, it’s not looking to compete with big-name office suppliers.

“We sell furniture of a higher quality at a wonderful price,” she said.

Powell said the store has been receiving a lot of walk-in customers since opening.

Because the furniture sells at a rapid pace, every time customers come back they’ll see a different showroom, she said.

The store also offers professional services for those buying furniture, such as long-term rentals, leasing, space planning, delivery and installation.

Powell said besides being successful in the area, she also hopes to be a catalyst for other retail stores to open.

“We want to be a leader that brings more stores to Youngstown,” she said.

agaug@vindy.com