Refurbished big-box store in Wasilla welcomes back Sadler's Home Furnishings
In a significant development for Alaska's furniture market, Furniture Enterprises of Alaska (FEA) has opened a new location in Wasilla, bringing back Sadler's Home Furnishings after a hiatus of over three decades. The Wasilla location, which was previously operated for a short time in the early '80s but closed due to a recession, has been revitalised and expanded with the addition of an Ashley Homestore and a Sadler's Outlet.
The new Sadler's showroom, designed and renovated over a two-year period, boasts a bright, open space with various sections for Alaskana, Farmhouse, contemporary, dining, bedroom, mattress, and children's bedroom furniture. The store features a curved path of gray laminate flooring that guides shoppers through the various sections. Temporary false walls hang from the ceilings, providing adjustable display spaces with ceiling-hung electrical outlets.
The Wasilla location, a refurbished big-box store that was previously a Sears, will contain three connected stores: Sadler's Home Furnishings, Ashley Homestore, and a Sadler's Outlet. Dave Cavitt, president and owner of FEA, announced the addition of these stores, marking FEA's first outlet store.
FEA, a significant player in Alaska's furniture market, with fifteen stores across the state, finalised the purchase of the Wasilla building, which was previously a Sears, after a year-long negotiation involving high-level legal wrangling. Initially, Transformco, the company that purchased some Sears Holdings Corporation assets in 2018, had rebuffed FEA's offer to purchase the Wasilla property. However, after the failure of Transformco's plan to create a mini-mall with Joann Fabrics as an anchor tenant, they reconsidered FEA's offer.
The Wasilla Ashley store and the Sadler's Outlet store are expected to open in mid-September and toward the end of the month, respectively. The stores will operate under extended hours, with the Wasilla Sadler's Home Furnishings store open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Sadler's Outlet store will sell lightly damaged furniture and items with low prices given by manufacturers.
This return of Sadler's Home Furnishings to Wasilla is a testament to the enduring appeal of the brand and a boost for the local furniture market. The addition of Ashley Homestore and Sadler's Outlet promises to offer a diverse range of furniture options for residents and visitors alike.
