How to Open a Used Furniture Store

Opening a used furniture store can be a great idea for someone who understands how furniture works and has the knowledge on how to refinish and repair furniture. A used furniture store can be a big success in any community, especially if there are plenty of students or young married couples just starting out.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Obtain used furniture inexpensively to start the store. If you are someone who already refinishes or repairs furniture, you might already have a large selection of used furniture available for sale. If you buy or accept broken furniture and repair it, you have the perfect outlet to sell your repaired products by opening a used furniture store.

2. Find a location for your store that is accessible to your main customer base. You'll want a location that is easy to get to and has an area in the back that allows you to load and unload furniture. You may also want to have a large room away from the main store area to use as a workshop. In the workshop portion of the store, you can restore or refinish furniture before it goes into the main store.

3. Let potential customers know that your store is new and that it is open for business. Advertise in local newspapers and on radio stations. If the location of your business is along a busy street, you can get plenty of street traffic into your store and others who drive by. Place nice signs out front alerting customers that you offer furniture at good prices.

4. Choose a name for your store that accurately reflects what your store does. If you offer gently used furniture, select a name like "Second Chance Furniture." If you offer antique furniture, select a name of your business like "Antique Furniture Boutique." The name of your business can make a big difference about the type of customer who walks into your store.

5. Consider offering your furniture store as a consignment shop for people who are wanting to sell their own used furniture. You can set a percentage or a set fee for people to place their used furniture in your store. You'll then pay them for their furniture when it sells.