Beech Tree News Network

“Stop in and say hello!” That was the message Bill Freedle, owner of Friendly Furniture, had for Morgantown. Freedle has a relaxed, open door way of doing things, and applies this philosophy deliberately to his business: “We originally opened 42 years ago [around] 1970…. Morgantown is still not a big town, but it was a lot smaller when we came here… things were so much different… for years we were the oldest, largest, most complete furniture store in the area… People came from everywhere…. We still have the same old phone number. People have always called us [asking] if we have this or that, as if we’ve never even closed. [We thought we] might as well reopen, we’ve been here so long.”

Friendly Furniture recently reopened after being closed for nearly three years due to “health issues,” says Bill: “I’ve had a couple of heart attacks and a couple of open heart surgeries, and had a pace maker and defibrillator put in.  It’s been 2.5 years since the last heart attack [and] I feel good. [I’m] not on as much medicine as I was [But] I still have to watch what I do.  If I feel good we’ll be open, if I don’t feel good we won’t be,” said Freedle.
Friendly Furniture is currently selling new beds and recliners, with plans to carry used appliances and quality used products “as they can be acquired.”

Freedle also mentioned plans to expand the range of business at the storefront: “We hope to find someone who wants to have a business in the portion of the building we aren’t using. We would love to have some sort of consignment or flea market deal that attracts a lot of people.”

The Freedles are currently holding a rummage sale in the unused space, but Bill says that if anyone has interest in the space to come by and talk to him about it.
Freedle mentioned a previous customer recently came in just to say hello and check out the store again: “All of her family had been customers of ours previously…  For 42 years people were buying from us, supporting us, or just coming in to see us….  It feels like we’ve always been [here], “ said Freedle. 

 ---

Story and photos by J. Harris, Beech Tree News