Art Van Furniture, To Open Mishawka, Indiana Franchise Store

Furniture World News Desk on 9/16/2014

Art Van Furniture reported that it has signed a franchising agreement with Sofa Select to become its first franchise store in the Hoosier state. Sofa Select is owned by Tom and Rose Eslinger. The store will be renamed Art Van Furniture at its current location and continue to serve northern Indiana as well as lower southwest Michigan.

"Tom and Rose Eslinger are woven into the fabric of this community, playing an integral role in helping families furnish their homes affordably for almost 35 years," said Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture. "We welcome them, as well as their immense expertise, to the Art Van Furniture family as we continue to expand and serve families across Indiana."

"Partnering with Art Van Furniture is such an extraordinary opportunity for us and for our guests," said Tom Eslinger. "They are one of the most innovative and successful family-owned furniture retailers in the United States, and we share their passion for offering exemplary customer service, quality and value. Becoming part of the Art Van brand will allow us to service our loyal Sofa Select customers in a much broader way."

Sofa Select opened in September 2002 as a living room and family room specialty store. In 2008, the store moved down the road to its current, larger location and added bedroom, entertainment and home office furniture as well as mattresses and bedding. Prior to opening Sofa Select, Tom Eslinger had operated Eslinger Furniture and Appliance since 1980 in South Bend, Indiana while Rose Eslinger enjoyed a successful real estate sales career.

The new Art Van Furniture franchise is scheduled to debut in mid-October. Art Van Furniture currently has seven Michigan franchise locations in Alpena, Mount Pleasant, Midland, Marquette, Sault Sainte Marie, Owosso and Gaylord, with two additional franchises set to open in the state in 2014.

About Art Van Furniture: Art Van Furniture is the Midwest's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 37 stores throughout Michigan, six stores in Chicagoland, one store in Toledo, Ohio, one store in Fort Wayne, a full service e-commerce website, plus 38 freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Michigan and Ohio. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. Visit artvan.com for more information.