In its 110th year, Stucky’s Furniture & Appliance in Fort Wayne continues to grow and change while keeping the award-winning customer service a top priority.
“We want to be a one-stop shop for customers who want home furnishings,” says owner Bill Shuee. “We take care of our customers the way we would like to be taken care of.”
Bill and Polly Shuee, and his brother and sister-in-law Brent and Lori, purchased the family-owned business three years ago. Right away, they did major remodeling to include a furniture line, new signage, a new name (formerly Stucky Bros.), energy-efficient LED lighting and more.
They expanded the on-staff team of delivery, installation and repair service professionals and have devoted about 15,000 square feet of space in a 30,000-square-foot showroom to furniture and mattresses.
Appliances account for most sales, with many mid-line brands available as well as premium lines like Sub-Zero and Wolf. For the bargain hunter, the “bargain barn” has reduced prices on appliances with dings and dents, but all are still covered under warranty and eligible for service.
Having recently returned from a buyer’s convention in Texas, Shuee learned about 70 percent of major appliance purchases are made because customers need to replace one that no longer works.
A broken-down appliance might get customers in the door, but they often end up doing more, he says.
During the pandemic, people were home more and had time for updating and remodeling. That trend continues today, but for different reasons.
With rising home prices and high interest rates, people are still purchasing complete sets of appliances, even if only needing to replace one piece. Customers are responding well to the changes in the store that are helping them make decisions, including electronic tracking of orders, inventory, price matching and service calls.
“Customers don’t see this side of the business, but they benefit from it,” Shuee says. “The price match guarantees shoppers get the best price for an item and instantly. The upgrade has helped us be more efficient and spend more time with customers and get other tasks done.”
The store sells to homeowners, contractors and remodelers. Stucky’s has its own delivery and installation teams and a fleet of repair technicians who travel to homes to fix appliances.
“There is nothing more frustrating than when something needs attention and people don’t know where to turn. With one call, we are out there with our team of people. We try to make it as easy and comfortable for our customers as we can,” Shuee adds.
The Shuee brothers are not new to the furniture and appliance business. Since 1987, they’ve managed a Greencastle, Ind. appliance store established in 1970 by their late father, Bob Shuee. They also own a furniture store in Greencastle, Ind., a furniture and appliance store in Brazil, Ind., and an appliance store in Lafayette, Ind.
The brothers have a total of six children, five of whom are already working in the family business.
“We’re hoping the next generations will continue to operate as we have for as long as possible,” Shuee says.
Celebrating 110 Years of Business Success
