Sylvan Furniture, a long-standing retailer in downtown Lewiston, is set to close its doors for good by the end of April 2024. The closure follows the acquisition of the building by another furniture company, which plans to renovate the space and reopen later in the summer or early fall, according to Rachel Rinard, co-owner of Sylvan Furniture.
Founded in the 1950s, Sylvan Furniture has occupied a prominent location at 815 Main St. for decades. The four-story store boasts 1.5 acres dedicated to furniture and mattresses. While Rinard declined to disclose the name of the new owner, she confirmed that the incoming company is family-owned and operates existing stores, distinguishing itself from national chains.
As Sylvan Furniture prepares for its closing sale, it is retaining its employees. Rinard noted that staff members are being assisted by additional personnel brought in to facilitate the going-out-of-business process. To boost visibility for the sale, the store is using an agency to create a separate social media presence, enhancing its outreach.
New inventory continues to arrive at the store, which was ordered prior to the announcement of the closure. Among the most sought-after items are power sofas and recliners equipped with USB ports for charging devices, as well as heating and massage features. “We’re about ready to get in a container of furniture that has individual seating surround sound,” Rinard stated, referring to a product called “sound emulsion.”
Special orders will remain open for another six to eight weeks, accounting for approximately 80% of Sylvan Furniture’s sales volume. Following the closure, the Rinards will maintain an office at the Sylvan warehouse for up to a year to manage ongoing orders and services for their customers. This strategy aims to uphold the strong reputation associated with the Sylvan name.
“We have a lot of people building homes right now,” Rinard explained. “We have a lot of furniture we’re holding for them in our warehouse until their homes are finished.”
The transition comes six years after the Rinards purchased Sylvan Furniture from Karen Shaul, a second-generation owner. “We were approached by an interested party that wanted our building,” Rinard remarked. “It definitely was not something we were looking for.”
As Rachel Rinard, aged 50, prepares for the closure, she reflects on her journey with the retailer, having started her career there in 2000. Her connection to the business is deeply personal, as Shaul was a bridesmaid at her wedding two decades ago. Over her 25-year tenure, Rinard held various positions, including training employees in the warehouse on a new computer system implemented after the building was rebuilt following a fire.
“I loved Sylvan Furniture,” she shared. “It’s a great environment, great employer, great customers. I was never bored. It was fun. I worked my way up from bookkeeper to general manager.”
As the community anticipates the next chapter for the location, the closure of Sylvan Furniture marks the end of an era for a beloved local institution.
