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The Beginning: Grand’s first store
Early Grand storefront
A Grand Home Furnishings store today
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Grand: 100 Years of History
Grand Home Furnishings began as a piano store in 1911 in Roanoke,
Virginia under the name “Grand Piano Company.” Approximately 20 years
later the company added furniture.In 1945 George Cartledge Sr. bought
the company. The name was changed to Grand Piano & Furniture Company
and the music related merchandise was cut back to pianos while the
furniture was expanded.Cartledge recognized early the importance of
developing close relationships with furniture manufacturers. These
relationships ensured a steady flow of quality merchandise that could be
offered at prices lower than the competition. In 1951 Grand
expanded with the opening of stores in Covington and Radford, Virginia.
In 1953 Grand opened a store in Lynchburg, Virginia. For the grand
opening weekend Cartledge felt it would be wonderful to give away a
refreshing soft drink as people entered the store. He secured cases of
Coca-Cola and over 14,000 bottles were given that weekend. Main Street,
Lynchburg had to be closed to accommodate the crowds. That success, lead
to the practice of a free Coke for all shoppers every day at all Grand
stores, a tradition that continues today with nearly one million Cokes
given out each year. Grand added more
stores in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s expanding up and down western Virginia
and central Virginia. Stores opened in Charlottesville, Lexington,
Staunton, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Winchester. George Cartledge Jr.,
son of George Cartledge Sr. joined the operation in 1966. In the 1980s
Grand continued opening stores or expanding stores within existing
markets. Also in the 1980s George Cartledge III became involved in the
family business, alongside another member of the third generation, his
cousin Robert G. Bennett.Inevitably as consumer shopping habits turned
away from downtowns to suburban shopping centers or mall locations,
Grand had to move with them in the 1990s but the company kept downtown
stores open for as long as possible. This expansion has lead the company
to its current position of 15 Grand Home Furnishings stores and 2 Grand
Outlet stores spread over 3 states with 560 employees. In 1997 George
Cartledge Sr. passed away at age 87, having been active in the business
right up to his death. He always insisted on treating everyone “right”,
especially customers. He set an outstanding example as a citizen both
personally and corporately, giving generously to the community. By 1998
sales of pianos had drastically declined. Grand ceased piano sales and
the company’s name was changed to Grand Home Furnishings. Grand’s
strength has always been its people, all of whom share a dedication to
excellent customer service. Satisfying the customer has enabled Grand to
grow over the years and become the leading furniture and mattress store
in every city and town we serve. The tradition of giving exemplified by
George Cartledge Sr. continues to this day to an even greater extent
with Grand supporting non-profit organizations, cultural organizations
and family service organizations in towns and cities where we have
stores.
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