Young Appliance To Be First Art Van Furniture Franchisee

Furniture Today:

Art Van Furniture has found its first franchisee in Young Appliance, a longtime retailer of primarily electronics and appliances in Alpena, Mich., in the Northeast region of the state.

Led by fourth-generation owners Bob and Naoko Young, the 33,000-square-foot showroom will undergo a major remodel over the next few months. Young will convert more than 20,000-square-feet, including warehouse space, to Art Van Furniture, with an Art Van PureSleep department and a clearance center.

The franchise fee and other financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Art Van declined to a projected sales figure but David Braun, Art Van’s director of franchise development and operations, said, “We think we will at least double their sales.”

The store, which goes by Young’s and is preparing to celebrate 112 years in business, will change its name to Art Van Furniture/Young’s. The furniture offering will come entirely from Art Van, delivered from its warehouse, Braun said.