Small’s Furniture City closing after 30 years

DeKALB – After 30 years of business in DeKalb, Small’s Furniture City is closing its doors.

The store at 2211 Sycamore Road has sold quality furniture since 1981, said owner Kirk Small. Both the state of the economy the past few years and the value of the land the store sits on led to the decision to close.

“The property has always been pretty valuable, and more so as time has gone by,” Small said.

The store has worked with a commercial real estate agent and the property is under contract with a national restaurant chain, he said. Negotiations have been under way for more than six months, he said, adding that he never really knew when or if a deal would happen.

Small would not comment on the value of the property or the restaurant chain.

Matt Duffy, executive director of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, said officials hate to see any locally owned and operated business close, and it’s unfortunate to lose a furniture store when there aren’t many in the area.

Duffy said there have been rumors about what business will next occupy the space, but nothing has been confirmed.

Alhough Small said he could have had “a few more years of carrying sofas” in him, he’s proud of the 30 years the store has done business in the community.

When the store opened, the now-developed land across the street was still corn fields. He said they’ve seen plenty of change along Sycamore Road over the years as more of the area has been developed.

“If the economy had been better, we probably would have hung out. We probably would have stayed,” Small said.

He said the staff feel fortunate to have operated the store in DeKalb, and believe the community and city officials have a kind sensibility that made it easy to do business.

“We see it as more of a celebration of 30 years than anything disastrous,” Small said.

The store has marked down its furniture and will close once all inventory is sold and delivered. Small estimated that will be in late August or early September.