Washington-Area Furniture Retailer Finds Alternative Housing In High Point, NC

Furniture World Magazine

Savvy suburban Washington furniture retailer Mike Huber decided to “come home to High Point,” so he and his merchandising staff could walk to work from a convenient “getaway.” At least every April and October during the mammoth Furniture Market here, the owner of Belfort Furniture and his hard-working buyers want their intense time in High Point to be more efficient, comfortable and convenient. Belfort operates as a campus of stores in a self-contained “premier furniture mall” in Dulles, Virginia. “After assessing the kind of major investment we’ve been making at Market over the years, it was an obvious and easy business decision to buy executive condominiums just a few blocks away,” said Huber, president of the 18-year-old company. “Working the Market is a demanding job and we were just tired of the hassle of renting a house for our team, fighting for close-in parking spots and never enjoying the real comforts of a place we could really call home for all the time we’re here.” Belfort Furniture bought three new units on two floors at 212 North Main Street in a completely renovated century-old former tobacco warehouse. Two units on the third floor were combined into one larger, 4-bedroom suite just under 2,000 square feet, with a slightly smaller 2-bedroom condo directly above on the fourth floor. During the past year, Brown Investment Properties converted the four-story, classic brick structure into 13 condominiums, ranging from 835 square feet to 1,999 square feet. Joining Belfort, five units have been sold to people involved in the furniture industry, including an 8,500-square foot first floor showroom for antiques reproduction purveyor G&J Styles of nearby Archdale. “Being so close, all of our people can get back here, if need be for some rest or a convenient place for private meetings with vendors,” Huber explained. “My wife Kristi and her sister Heidi decorated the units with furniture from the store, including a pool table where I plan to do some playful negotiating and winning some deals.” Wasting no time, Belfort is hosting an Open House for vendors and industry friends on the eve of PreMarket on Sunday, March 13. “This is a good way for us to say, welcome to the neighborhood and, you, too, could enjoy the benefits of being close to the Market,” the retailer said. “What’s more wait until they see our rooms with a special view of the Showplace and the International Home Furnishings Center.” Belfort’s investment in the condominiums goes beyond Market time use. Huber said the condos would be used as a perk for employees throughout the year, as well as an off site training facility. “Yes, in addition to an investment in High Point, our management staff and employees expressed delight to know they could have a place to get away during the year,” Huber said. Located at the corner of Main Street and English Road, all of the condominiums have on-site vehicular parking, controlled access entry, with interiors of exposed brick, vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors in select units.