BY JULIE BUCHANAN
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Tyler McCray never thought he’d find himself in the business of selling furniture.


But when the opportunity to become part of a successful store franchise came his way, he says he couldn’t pass it up.

McCray, 28, is the owner of Furniture 4 Le$$ at 1855 Southpark Blvd. The store, which opened in March, is one of a seven-store chain with locations in Virginia and North Carolina. The business is based on the concept that each store sells only the top 2 percent of popular furniture items — mainly sofa and loveseat combinations, dinette sets and beds.

“If we sell the top 2 percent but have a smaller store, we have less overhead,” McCray said, comparing Furniture 4 Le$$ to other, larger furniture stores. “For example, we have no blue couches. Who wants to buy a blue couch? Nothing against anyone that wants to buy a blue couch, but the colors we have sell.”

The store is primarily a one-man operation with McCray doing most of the selling. His wife, his cousin and other family members often help out, however.

He became involved in the franchise through a long-time friend, whose family has owned furniture stores for generations, he said. Before getting his own store, McCray, who is from Dinwiddie County, worked as an electrician with his father’s business. He also worked for his wife in her real estate business.

Furniture is a change, but he believes he’ll be in the business for some time.

“I really don’t sell the furniture, I sell the concept,” he said.

McCray says business has been good through the summer as more people discover his unique furniture store. He hopes to expand with another store in the Tri-Cities in the next few months.

Many customers have been repeat customers and learn about the store through word of mouth, according to McCray.

“Sometimes people are just browsing,” he said. “They happen to see us. It’s really wild how it’s escalating into a great business.”

• Julie Buchanan may be reached at 722-5155.