By KATHIE DICKERSON
COSHOCTON – There’s life in the former Big Bear building at 795 S. Second St. in River Run Center, after standing empty for almost three years.


Furniture Factory Liquidation Center will officially open its doors Thursday. “We need this,” said Coshocton resident Joann Erman. “I’d like to see something else move in on the other side where Wal-Mart … used to be.”
Though the store wasn’t open, Erman was browsing Monday, looking at dining room tables and testing recliners.

“Things look nice and the price is right,” she said.

Toni Herrick, manager and a partner in the business, said more trucks will be arriving before the weekend opening. The store should have a good selection of quality furniture in all price ranges, she said. Mattresses are half price all the time.

Don Lee, also a partner in the business, said they buy in large quantity at reduced prices and pass the savings on to customers.

All of the furniture is new and comes with a guarantee and manufacturer’s warranty, he said. Some unique items include a clock coffee table and also a coffee table that lifts up for eating or storage underneath.

A Cleveland resident, Lee said he happened to be in the neighborhood and liked the area, so he decided to open a store in Coshocton.

“It’s a nice community,” he said.

Erman said she’s glad a few more Coshocton people will be put to work. Herrick said she plans to hire about four to six part-time people and a delivery crew.

Late in 2003, Penn Traffic, the Syracuse, N.Y.-based parent company of Big Bear, announced the closure or sale of all its Big Bear stores. The Coshocton location closed in January 2004, after it failed to sell to another grocer.

Equipment left after Big Bear closed its doors was sold at auction in March.

kdickerson@nncogannett.com
295-3442