Furniture company changes business to keep up with times

Launches flea market, Internet sales

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — R. Smith Furniture announced recently that it is changing the way it does business, presenting a new format which includes implementing Internet sales and converting 20,000 square feet above the showroom into a year-round flea market for local vendors. For the first time in the furniture company’s 60 years of business, Internet sales will be available to customers through a company called “Furniture Direct Express,” and owner William P. Kotoski hopes that easier shopping will mean increased revenues. “What has happened to the industry is that furniture buying is becoming a commodity, similar to buying bread or cheese or milk,” said Mr. Kotoski. “Before we lived in an era where much of the furniture was made locally, or at least made domestically, and there was much more customization available. Today, the furniture is imported in a container and it is what it is, and as a consumer if you have very few choices — purchasing that furniture online becomes a much more attractive option.” Although R. Smith will remain open to customers who would prefer to come in and see the furniture in person, Mr. Kotoski said the additional availability on the Internet is a way of responding to consumer demand. “I think that we are just trying to make it easier on the consumer; we want to give them what they want, and save them time,” said Mr. Kotoski. “The goal of R. Smith has always been to offer the customer a value.” Although the providing of Internet sales to customers is an announcement in itself, Mr. Kotoski said the implementation of a year-round flea market is going to be the largest change for the company. “The big news is that we are converting 20,000 square feet up above into a flea market that is going to be called ‘Smitty’s Flea Market,’ which is a take on R. Smith, our company’s founder,” said Mr. Kotoski. “We are going to be able to rent 120 spaces to local craftsman, and people who manufacture their own goods.” Unlike other flea markets in the area, Smitty’s will be open all day on both Saturdays and Sundays, and spaces will be available to rent for the day, weekend, or month. Mr. Kotoski expects the sputtering economy will produce more and more flea market shoppers looking for deals. “What is happening is over the past few months, even during this economic downturn, when you go to a flea market you see thousands of people there, and they all have smiles on their faces because they are looking for that diamond in the rough,” said Mr. Kotoski. “What better place to look for those bargains than right here, where 60 years ago, Richie Smith offered furniture that was priced lower than anyone else. So we are proud to say that R. Smith’s vision, which was to provide the consumer a value, will carry into the future through this flea market.” The flea market, which had its grand opening June 21, has already attracted a wide variety of local vendors. “We put out a brochure just (recently), and we already have generated a lot of local interest,” said Mr. Kotoski. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/26/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 151)