September 24, 2023 Furniture Today, “An Insider’s View

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I am proud of my 20-year-old granddaughter who is a rising junior at Virginia Tech. She is doing well in her courses, which is in a medical field that works with people with disabilities. Imagine that.

We had a long conversation this weekend about her plans for graduate school and life. Of course, I enjoyed hearing about her furniture feelings.

One frustration was how some furniture is almost disposable when you buy it. Her new apartment at Tech has a balcony, and she needs chairs. Her choice according to her are “junky” folding or plastic ones at a mass merchant or much more expensive metal ones that often cannot be bought except in a five-piece set.

Another consideration is transporting every item the four hours to Blacksburg, Va. Her SUV barely holds all her non-furnishings as it is. Her current boyfriend recently got a car barely large enough for him. I owned the family pick-up but gave it away when we migrated to a condo.

She needs a sofa, preferably a sleeper. Do you buy the mattress separately? I never considered that. Her experience with futons (yes, multiple futons) is too miserable to discuss. Do they make futons for anyone but poor students?

Then we discussed other options like stealing our stuff so her grandmother gets to buy new. I’m less than enthused.

Looking for pass-me-downs among friends and family? Maybe. Internet want ads? Ugh.

Of course, my solution was go to a local furniture store in Blacksburg or Christiansburg that can solve all your needs. Wonder if my buddy Marc Schewel has a store there? Or the nice folks at Grand Home or Virginia Furniture or maybe Ashley among so many choices.

Then we went on to discuss her residential plans after school. Does anyone listen to this generation? She doubts it.

By the way, growing up she went to lots of High Point Markets. It was our fun family thing to do on Sundays, and she loved it. Her brother liked it so much he attended HPU.

October 13, 2023 Furniture Today, “An Insider’s View

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I am upset.

I have health issues that are prohibiting me from attending this October’s High Point Market. And this after my spine and heart doctors had my hopes up that I could go for at least a long weekend.

High Point Market is more than just a business event for me. As I have said often, it is more like a reunion with hundreds of friends. And in many cases I have become friends with my old friend’s children and am proud to see their interest in the family business and taking over key roles. I could name a lot of names.

My family feels very connected to High Point, too. My son and his wife met at High Point University, had the wedding in High Point, and now her parents have moved to Richmond to be with the kids and their two children, 2 and 4.

While I am not a party-going guy, there are more events scheduled for market evenings than ever, and lots of new showrooms and buildings to explore, but really every showroom will be updated just for you.

I cannot remember going to market and not hearing a program or speech that taught me something helpful.

I won’t mention my favorite restaurant while I’m in town, but it is spelled Marisol.

I have had unforgettable experiences in High Point. My brace on my paralyzed leg broke one evening when I was emcee at a huge event. I had to hang on to the podium or fall.

Another time, a camera was stolen from my room at the old Holiday Inn, near the current Plaza building. That night around midnight there was a VERY LOUD KNOCK ON MY DOOR followed by, “Mr. Epperson, this is the POLICE!”

As I struggled to put on my brace so I could walk to the door, the voice and knocks kept getting LOUDER. The remainder of that market, people kept asking me what was happening in my hotel room.

While I won’t be there in person this fall, I look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming April High Point Market. It will be my 100th!

October 30, 2023 Furniture Today, “An Insider’s View

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About this time of year, I recall memories of my history attending the High Point Market. My first market was more than 50 years ago, and I remember feeling lucky for several reasons. First, I found a street parking spot on Elm. Imagine that.

Back then, we did not have the Green, Commerce, Wrenn or Hamilton wings at the International Market Center, but it was packed. Ethan Allen showed on the second floor of the Mart. Market Square was still the Tomlinson factory.

My early appointment was at The Lane Company, and I struggled to make it on time. Then, my appointment was too busy to see me, but Stuart Moore introduced me to Hamp Powell, who spent some time with me and showed me more cedar chests than I could imagine.

I didn’t recognize Mr. Powell at first, but I learned quickly who he was.

Pulaski had a hot line, and “Keepsakes” was being knocked off by almost every case goods maker. Since I was new to market, I wondered if all the showrooms sold bars, player pianos, telephone booths and grandfather clocks like Pulaski did.

I didn’t know anyone at Stratolounger but walked in and quickly made myself comfortable, only to be escorted out soon afterwards. Seems like you needed to be a retailer.

The next day I drove on I-85 to the massive Bassett showroom that had a full parking lot and an entrance lobby packed with people I didn’t know. However, I recognized President Bob Spilman from his photo in the annual report. After patiently waiting, I shook his hand and introduced myself. He replied he was there to sell furniture not talk to “Wall Street types,” but since I was there he told me next market, he would answer two questions from me.

I really thought about it and had two great questions. When I saw Bob again, I asked him, “Do I still get two questions?”

He grinned and said “Yes. What is the second one?”

I was fortunate that Bob and other kings (and queens) of our industry were kind enough to spend some time with me.

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