At 914 N. Main St. in Stanley, you might find the prettiest furniture store you’ve ever visited. Clippard’s Furniture & Interiors definitely ranks high on my top-ten list, and I’ve been in a bunch of furniture stores in and out of North Carolina and even in other countries. Clippard’s is so attractive with its multiple groupings of sofas, chairs, tables, rugs, wall décor, lamps, knick-knacks, and so on, making it easy for shoppers to see how potential purchases will look. No hard-to-navigate, chockfull warehouse at Clippard’s. Each assemblage is professional, chic, and comfortable.
So comfortable you might want to plop down, put your feet up, and stay awhile. I chose a La-Z-Boy recliner for my plopping, and when store owner Steve Clippard and I concluded our conversation, I found it hard to say good-bye to the comfort I’d enjoyed. Even my lower back was happy and wondering why I wasn’t loading the thing into my SUV. Maybe another day.
Clippard’s began in 1961 in Steve’s father’s home. At the time, Kerry Clippard sold carpet and floor covering.
Kerry’s father was Fred, who “did truck farming,” said Steve. Fred grew vegetables, among other pursuits, and sold produce, eggs, and hams out of his truck to mill village residents.
Kerry didn’t want to be a farmer. He wanted a business of his own. He started with a countertops and tile company in Charlotte. Then, there was the carpet and floor covering business in his house. In 1969, Kerry opened a storefront on Hwy. 27. Besides carpet and floor covering, he sold paint and draperies.
In 1972, Kerry bought the current property and built an 8000-sq. ft. showroom and warehouse. “At that point, we took on furniture,” said Steve, who in 1973 was among the first graduating class of East Gaston High School. Steve worked with his dad. “I was the drapery installer,” he reported. “I also did blinds. I was considered ‘the blind man.’”
At the same time, Steve attended Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, where he earned an associate’s degree in interior design. Also during that time, Steve married Sheila. They’ve been husband and wife for fifty years. Sheila’s a retired educator, having taught and then an administrator.
In 1984, the Clippards decided to expand and added a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse.
In 1992, La-Z-Boy representatives approached the family about installing a gallery. “At that point, we added 6400 sq. ft. of showroom,” said Steve.
“My dad believed that you needed a really nice display and professional-looking presence,” Steve explained, saying they wanted to offer a different shopping experience from wandering through warehouses.” The result was furniture arranged as it would be in a home.
“People can’t believe a little town like Stanley has a place like this where you can see things set up and receive the expertise of helping to decorate their homes.”
Kerry, who’s 93, retired in 2005. “I bought the business from him,” said Steve. “We made it through the recession, and we got through COVID. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways.”
“Dad said, ‘If you give good service, you have a customer for life,’” Steve shared. “And, they bring their children.”
Now, Steve’s son David “has come in to learn the business,” Steve announced. “He’ll eventually take over. We’re third generation.”
Steve pointed out that he also has a daughter, Heather Johnson, who works in the health care business, and he’s blessed with four grandchildren.
Returning to the topic of the store’s inventory, Steve said, “We’ve rotated out of most of the floor covering business.” Clippard’s continues to sell rugs, however. “We haven’t sold draperies in 20 years.”
I’m assuming the blinds went the way of the draperies, so no more “blind man” designation for Steve.
Clippard’s, the exclusive La-Z-Boy dealer for Gaston and Lincoln Counties, has over 500 La-Z-Boy pieces – motion and stationary. The store also offers Vaughan-Bassett furniture, wood furniture for bedrooms and dining rooms, and they sell lift chairs from UltraComfort.
Steve pointed out, “We try to buy everything we can that’s made in the United States.”
Presently, sales are up. “We draw from a large area,” Steve stated. “Customers from all over. We’re more of a destination now.”
When my husband’s finally willing to part with his old leather easy chair, my destination will be Clippard’s, and one of those comfy La-Z-Boys will be mine. Make that two La-Z-Boys. I don’t want to have to fight for it.
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