Live Local

Three generations at Chuck’s Furniture and Mattress have made this store the go-to place for furnishing area homes.

Chuck’s Furniture and Mattress is an all-American, family-run, small business success story. What started out as a 2,500-square-foot warehouse and showroom in 1967 has grown to more than 100,000 square feet of high quality furnishings at every price point. Recognizing the growth of a more transient and student customer base, three years ago the family expanded by adding PAC 5, a warehouse and showroom that carries products at a lower price.

Today, three generations work together with long-time employees to bring customers personalized service and top-notch products to outfit their homes. “At our core, our mission is to take care of our customers and to provide them with the best customer service and the highest quality affordable furniture they can find,” says James Prutilpac, the third generation to run the business. “We take more chances on choosing unique products not available in the area—products like our live edge tables and industrial pieces before they went mainstream. And we always want to have a wide variety of price points.”

Prutilpac, who grew up in the industry, is passionate about the nuts and bolts of furniture-making and supporting American-made products. He is even more excited to support West Virginia companies, so when Gat Caperton bought Tom Seely’s manufacturing company in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and modernized the style, he was ecstatic. He says, “We carried Tom Seely for a long time, but the antique reproduction-style market was going away. Gat reinvigorated it with streamlined designs that meticulously showcase the wood grain and quality craftsmanship.”

Although Chuck’s carries several lines of furniture, Prutilpac always introduces customers to Gat Creek products. “We love to support other local businesses, and when clients are interested in purchasing something that will last a lifetime, you can’t beat it. The quality of the pieces speaks for itself,” he says. “When you buy a piece of Gat Creek furniture, you are buying an awesome story. The designs are timeless and heirloom quality. People will still love it in 50 years.”

The story is an important part of Gat Creek. “We are so proud of what they do,” Prutilpac says. “They employ West Virginians who take pride in building quality furniture, many of whom have been there for more than 15 years. Each piece of furniture has touched a lot of West Virginians—from the trees when they are cut down, to the sawmill where they are planed, to the builder at Gat Creek, to the person who delivers it to our showroom. When you buy Gat Creek, it might be a bit more expensive than something that is made in Asia, but it will last you a lifetime, and you will have supported a long chain of West Virginia jobs. That makes us and our customers feel good.”

Visit chucksfurniture.com; pac5furniture.com