Sears Hometown open at Choice Furniture

PLATTSBURGH — Sears reappears.

A new Sears Hometown Store appliance showroom is now open at Choice Furniture, located at 594 Route 3 in the Town of Plattsburgh.

Choice Furniture co-owner Willy Pirofsky said the 1,800-square-foot showroom occupies the southeast corner of the 27,000-square-foot Choice Furniture showroom.

"Everything people have always loved about Sears, it's back," he said.

"We're really excited about it."

The new showroom space has a well-organized display of appliances — ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers/dryers and microwaves — by brands such as Kenmore, Samsung, Frigidaire, Maytag and Whirlpool.

'PERFECT FIT'

Sears Hometown Store Regional Development Manager Russ Bollhorst said they had already had customers stopping in as they prepared for the soft opening, which took place Jan. 17.

"It's a perfect fit. Home furnishings and appliances go well together," he said.

"The great name of Sears and the great name of Choice Furniture together makes a great fit."

The Sears Hometown Store business model also allows for in-store or outside online orders. Those goods can be picked up at the store with no delivery charge or delivered to the customers home for an additional charge.

They accept Sears credit cards, as well as other major credit cards.

There is also a lease-to-buy program for products from both Sears Home Store and Choice Furniture.

"It gives people the ability to take it home that same day, if it's available," Pirofsky said.

SERVICE AVAILABLE

Sears Hometown Stores also offers Sears Nationwide service, parts and installation.

Customers can even arrange for annual preventive maintenance.

Warranty coverage is still available through the parent company, he said, as Sears repair technicians still operate coast to coast.

"We are supported by that team," he said.

According to the company, more than 1,100 Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores area located across the United States and in Puerto Rico and Bermuda. 

Before this new store, the closest Sears Hometown Stores were in Malone and Massena in New York and Williston and Milton in Vermont.

LOOKING FOR SITE

The Pirofskys were approached last year by Bollhorst, who stopped in and asked if they would be interested in selling appliances in their showroom.

Bollhorst said that after the Sears store at the mall closed, company officials knew they wanted to bring this other business model to the Plattsburgh market.

"We were just looking for an opportunity, and Choice Furniture provided that opportunity," he said.

STORE REMODELED

Pirofsky took the opportunity provided by establishment of the new Sears Hometown Store to make some changes in the furniture store, as well.

"We've remodeled the store," he said. "We've taken out every (interior) wall, so you can see from the front door all the way to the back door."

They also realigned the showroom and added the Flexsteel line of furniture to the other brands, such as La-Z-Boy, Klaussner, Serta, Simmons, Franklin and Vaughan Basset.

The combination is now a one-stop shop for home furnishings, from living room through the bedroom, dining room and kitchen.

STAFF ADDED

They have now grown to 14 employees, Pirofsky said.

They are proud to be a family-owned business with deep roots in the Plattsburgh community, he said.

He said his father, Jack Pirofsky, has more than 50 years experience in retail furniture sales. This new endeavor is another way to serve their customers.

"The people we've sold furniture to over the years are very excited that we've brought appliances into our mix," Pirofsky said.

"We have a very loyal following."

Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said he was pleased to see the Sears brand return to the area. He thinks it fits well with the reconfigured Choice Furniture store.

"The more options folks have to find the goods and services of that nature, the greater benefit to the shoppers of our region," he said.

"I think it will do well in that space."

Email Dan Heath:

dheath@pressrepublican.com