The Olympia Furniture Company has received ample recognition in the short year and half of its opening. The new business was selected as the best furniture store by the Thurston County Chamber Best of South Sound awards as well as recognized by Evening Magazine’s The Best of Western Washington Nominee for Best Furniture Award. Owners Eddie Nelson and Allen Starkey are both honored and surprised by the rapid success and recognition they are receiving especially considering their humble pursuit to create a locally owned and community oriented store.
Both Nelson and Starkey grew up in Thurston County. They are raising their families within the same communities in which they grew up. They felt that opening a furniture store on the westside of Olympia was a good fit for their family and community.
Nelson shares, “We were excited to open a new business and be able to give back to the community through this opportunity. We have always wanted to offer more to our community, not to just ourselves and our families. We are not interested in striking it rich and opening multiple stores. We just want to be part of the community and be a local business.”
Through The Olympia Furniture Company, Nelson and Starkey quickly began coordinating efforts to give back to the community as local business owners. While consistently involved in their kids’ schools, the Rotary Club, and other organizations they also strive to support a community oriented event every quarter. Last fall, The Olympia Furniture Company organized a school supply collection drive at the store for the Little Red Schoolhouse. Now they are gearing up for the Olympia based Toys for Tots, affliated with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
Nelson explains that they try to select something that not only contributes to the local community and those who may be less fortunate but also a program that is meaningful to their own families. An important element in selecting a charitable giving program is that it have a local focus. It is important to the Starkey and Nelson families to support the local community. All the toys donated through the Toys for Tots program stay within Thurston County.
Starkey’s father served in the Marines, so the Marine sponsored Toys for Tots seemed like a natural fit. Additionally, Nelson reflects on his childhood years and remembers times when his family was recipients of holiday giving programs such as Toys for Tots. Now he wants to teach his own children about the importance of giving and helping others.
Five years ago, Nelson and his wife adopted two girls to add to their family. He shares, “Last year when we started the toy drive at the store, the kids initially wanted the customer donated toys for themselves. Then they came to understand the donations were for less fortunate children and families. Even better, they gathered some of their own toys for donation.”
The Toys for Tots collection drive runs from November to mid-December. During this time, toys can be dropped off at The Olympia Furniture Company. Last year, The Olympia Furniture Company donations far exceeded expectations. Nelson reports that typically drop off sites get one box for the duration of the toy drive. Last year they needed a second box within three days of the toy drive. They hope to collect even more this year. They will have a large designated bin for the toys. Those interested in a furniture purchase can receive a 10% discount if they bring in a toy.
“Our goal is to give back to the community while providing our customers a discount for sharing in our efforts to give back to the community. That way, they feel good about the discount they are getting for giving toys and we feel good about giving the discount to help support our community and charitable causes.”
To learn more about The Olympia Furniture Company, click here to visit their website.
The Olympia Furniture Company
2302 Harrison Avenue NW, Suite 101
Olympia, WA
360-338-0638
Hours:
Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
