Family ready to close furniture business after 50-plus years
To everything there is a season, and although the legacy built by George and Carol Jean Farr is drawing to an end, the many memories will live on.
Yes, after more than 50 years in business, Farr’s Fine Furniture is closing. Remley and George Farr, Jr. are ready to retire.
Folks in Waycross and the surrounding area may recall Farr’s Discount Store on Albany Avenue and the myriad of goods available, from plumbing and hardware parts and appliances, to canned goods, bear traps and even wigs.
If you couldn’t find a part for your repair project anywhere, it was a sure bet you could find it at Farr’s Discount Store.
George Farr, Sr. started the Albany Avenue store more than 66 years ago by supplying items from freight salvage. He later began picking up furniture from salvage and estate sales. Carol Jean Farr liked the furniture part of the business, and that was her specialty at the “downtown” store.
In 1974, the two had an opportunity to expand when they bought land on the Waycross-Blackshear Highway and built the 24,000-square foot building that became Farr’s Fine Furniture at 1561 Highway 84.
The store carried new, quality furniture, and nothing else.
It always has been a family affair with Farr’s Fine Furniture.
When the building was being built, George Jr. said he remembers as a teenager being given the responsibility of painting the ceiling metal trusses silver. When he finished the job, he decided to spin donuts with the truck inside the vacant, expansive nearly finished building.
His father, later upon inspecting his work, commented on the great ceiling job. Then noticing the tire marks on the concrete floor, also put him to work painting the floor!
Once the store was open, siblings Remley and Keren found responsibilities selling and dusting furniture, handling accounts, and more. Chores, such as stocking, selling, delivering, and dusting furniture were also expected of the other siblings throughout their high school and college years.
And although there was the usual youthful grumbling about the work, all the kids now realize how those responsibilities benefited them in so many ways!
In addition to their children, the Farrs employed J.T. Murray and Ervin Bokor, Johnny Jones, Floyd Bratcher, and many other fine salesmen through the years. When George, Jr. and Remley took over management of the business more than 30 years ago, they hired Chad Brauda, initially as a warehouse and delivery staff person, but they quickly saw that he could do so much more.
Brauda has been an invaluable member of the Farr’s Fine Furniture family these many years and knows all aspects of the store and most of its customers.
The business has been blessed by its employees and customers for 50 years.
George and Carol Jean had quite an adventure in their 67-year marriage and touched many, many lives through the store. Though it’s the season for Farr’s Fine Furniture to finally close its doors, the Farrs will never be forgotten.
Remley, George, and Chad invite the community to come visit the store 1561 Highway 84 and share your memories in the closing days.
