Mistler's Oak Furniture celebrates 12 years of business

By DONNA BRAYMER, Business Editor donnab@commpub.com

Staff Photo/Donna Braymer
Mark Mistler is a third generation furniture salesman and opened his own business 12 years ago on Hwy. 7 South just a couple of minutes from downtown Harrison.

Sometimes it seems that the term ‘honest salesman’ is an oxymoron. But that is not the case with local resident and business owner, Mark Mistler.

Sometimes it seems that the term ‘honest salesman’ is an oxymoron. But that is not the case with local resident and business owner, Mark Mistler. He goes out of his way to give customers the best price and deal he can make them. As a little boy, his grandpa sold furniture and he thought that was always neat. “Then my Dad retired, and he joined the furniture business.”

Twenty years ago, Mistler was selling furniture out of his garage, on the side, while working a full time job. “I hated to leave the other job, because I enjoyed being around the people.”

The day came when he decided to buy two acres of property and opened his furniture store. Mistler had two goals. He wanted to own his own business, and wanted an avenue to help people.

“When I started the building it was half the size it is now. Every bank in town turned me down, except for Larry Brandt and First Federal. He was willing to take a chance on me and I’ve never been late on a payment.”

“I’m very thankful for the support of the area. The business has allowed us to have a home and raise two boys.”

Currently in the 12th year of business and 10,000 square feet of space, Mistler’s Oak Furniture sells many items for the home. “We couldn’t make it, on just oak furniture. The oak furniture we sell doesn’t need to be replaced in a few years like other kinds.”

Mistler’s offers living room furniture, sofas, recliners, lift chairs, Toshiba televisions and Oreck vacuums. “The appliance line has grown tremendously every year.”

Electrolux ICON makes premium appliances for homes and restaurants. “We sell a ton of their appliances.”

Even fireworks made the inventory during the Fourth of July holiday. “My goal is to save local people some money, and invite them to church.”

Mistler is very open about his faith and his business. He feels God has blessed his business and he isn’t ashamed to invite people to his Sunday School class at First Baptist. “We teach the young marrieds and our class is just exploding. Being able to do things for the church is another benefit to being self-employed. My goal for our Sunday School class is to help them stay married.”

Mistler has customers come as far as Florida and Arizona and some recently from Atlanta, Ga. and Jackson, Miss. “They’ll either bring a trailer or they pay us to deliver it.”

He is amazed at the response to the heirloom furniture. “Good quality oak furniture is getting harder and harder to find and people know we can save them money on it.”

He mentioned a bedroom set advertised on the Internet for $3,000 and Mistler’s had the same set for $1,200.

“Most of our oak furniture is made by people around here. We can custom make tables, chairs and hutches in the color and type the customer would like.”

Mistler’s Oak Furniture is located just a couple of miles from downtown Harrison at 4388 Hwy. 7 South and the phone number is 870-365-3900.

Staff Photo/Donna Braymer
The high quality oak furniture and great prices at Mistler’s attracts customers from all across the United States.