Hurley's Mattress and Appliance opens in Tillsonburg
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The new sign for Hurley's Mattress and Appliance has been designed, but not installed yet.
"We almost have our sign finalized, it's ready for production," said Irene Hurley at their 58 Broadway location on the corner of Tillsonburg's busiest intersection. "Hopefully we'll have it up in about two weeks."
For more than two decades, going back to 1993, the Hurley family owned the Sears franchise in Tillsonburg.
"We built the business from just the little catalogue counter to this building where we are today. We had a very good working relationship and obviously the business has been enough that it allowed us to build. However in the last few years, things changed. We chose not to renew our contract with Sears."
The decision was made lightly, nor was it made overnight.
"This was what we decided to do," said Irene a few days after re-opening as Hurley's Mattress and Appliance on Monday, Feb. 2.
Hurley stressed they are not moving. They will continue to serve the community as an independent retailer with the same friendly faces, same service, same dedication. Their commitment to the community has not changed.
"We are really excited," Hurley smiled. "And as you can see we have a whole new look. We've been doing a ton of things to change over."
Associated with Mattress World and an appliance group, their product include mattresses, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dryers, dish washers, and more.
"Our preferred brands," said Hurley. "We are actually going to have more in some areas than we had as a Sears store. We'll have more beds, and the appliances will be comparable."
They plan to open a parts and service department, which means adding staff.
"The everyday things like vacuum cleaner bags and dishwasher additives – we'll have all of those things available – as well as taking care of all the major appliances that we sell."
In the spring they will add 'yard and garden' items.
"We try take care of people the way you want to be taken care of. That's just a general principle that I've always had in life and in business. Our former customers are still our customers. If they need help or direction, or followup with previous purchases, we are still here to help them. That's really important to us. We have not abandoned them (former customers). We are still here, we'll take the time to help them with any difficulties or issues. They're still our customers."
Hurley's Mattress and Appliance's grand opening will be held around the end of March or early April.
"Or mid-April," Bob Hurley smiled.
"We'll have to see how it goes," Irene laughed.
So far, the initial response has been positive.
"I've been getting hugs, congratulations," she said, "And 'good for you' and 'we're really happy for you.'"