Will Cleary has worked in the furniture business for over 20 years.
Much of that has been in the Seattle area where he worked for Ballard Consignment, and he’s worked for many furniture giants like La-Z-Boy and Ashely Furniture as a manager, buyer and in sales.
He often heard out west or at trade shows that the Midwest was about five years behind when it came to what was hot in the furniture world. But Cleary thinks it’s just that the furniture on the coasts isn’t being sold in the Midwest, and he aims to change that with his new business, Cleary’s Furniture, Consignment & Decor.
The business, which will sell a mix of new and used furniture, has its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday at 4 p.m. at 2148 W. Beltline Hwy., and a grand opening Friday through Sunday.
Cleary said his inventory is very different than what shoppers find in most stores in the area. Instead of big, bulky, reclining sofas, for instance, the shop is stocking items with clean lines, modern, mid-century styles and fun colors.
“Everything we bring in is what’s popular; this is what people are looking for,” Cleary said.
While this is Cleary’s first business with his wife Tabitha Stanek-Cleary, he has the experience and passion for it.
“I’m kind of a furniture geek in a way,” Cleary said. “I’ve always enjoyed it.”
Helping people find the right piece is fun for him, and he said finding furniture should be fun.
“It’s a very personal thing for people,” Cleary said. “It’s something you’re going to sit on for years to come. It’s in your bedroom. Your kids are going to play on the couch.
“I also just like talking to people,” he said of the business.
Designed to consign
In addition, a large part of the business will be local consignment. Cleary invites people to send a photo of a piece of furniture they no longer want via email. Once emailed, he decides if it is something they can sell. Then the person brings it in (the shop has partnered with Dairyland Moving & Storage to help those who can’t bring it in themselves).
A price is set together, and if it sells, the furniture owner can take a 50/50 cash split or a 60/40 credit split.
The longer the item sits, the more it will be marked down, but Cleary will keep the furniture until it sells. There is no time limit on having to sell.
“We’re hoping folks in the community take to the idea of furniture consignment. Not just antiques like antique malls do,” Cleary said. “We want your sofa that you purchased at local furniture stores and you’re tired of and want something new.”
Cleary just wants people to come in and find what they like and take it home.
During the grand opening, the store will offer 10% off any item, and 20% off if people spend $2,000 or more.
For Cleary and Stanek-Cleary, it was time to try their hand at their own furniture venture.
“I just figured it was about time to open our own,” Cleary said. “My wife is from Wisconsin. We lived in Middleton for five years. We love Madison, so we decided to try and bring a little bit different of a style here.”
