By Brian Lawrence
Kootenay Crate Co. may have moved from Creston to Nelson, but the relocation didn’t leave an empty storefront in downtown Creston for long.
Next 2 New Furniture Outlet opened at 1021 Canyon St. at the beginning of December, and business has been brisk ever since.
“I brought beds in two days ago and they’re gone,” said Sherrie Fakla, who co-owns the shop with her mom, Diane Fakla.
And the couch that arrived earlier in the afternoon? Sold within an hour.
It’s the first time that the pair has run a business together, but Diane expected that they might have some early success.
“If my daughter’s doing it, I’m not surprised,” she said.
Sherrie is well known in the Creston Valley, having previously owned Urban 360, a downtown clothing store, and currently operating Creston Bounce N Slide Rentals, offering bouncy houses, water slides, and paintball games. The whole family is involved with Next 2 New, though, with Sherrie’s husband and father making deliveries, and her daughter working with her mom and grandma in the store.
When the 1021 Canyon St. shop became available, she and Diane pooled their money, bought some used furniture — mainly in Invermere, Golden, and Trail — and opened the store. Some of their stock, about 10 per cent, is for sale on consignment, and any stock that is donated will have partial proceeds given to the Creston Spay-Neuter Animal Program (SNAP).
Next 2 New doesn’t offer appliances or toys, but has a wide selection of other furniture — when the owners can keep it in stock: Nine recliners and 12 couches were sold in the first three weeks.
And with nothing over $400 in the store, customers can buy within their means and deck out their homes with gently used furniture.
“Our goal is to provide the town with quality furniture at affordable prices,” said Sherrie. “This is used, clean and comfortable.”
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