Making your home look like a Pinterest board is no small or inexpensive feat, but thanks to Gahanna-based furniture store Eclection, it just got a little easier.
“We purchase overstocks, closeouts and returns from online retailers,” says Josh Bernthold, a jack-of-all-trades in the family-owned business. From the designer to the more affordable, Eclection gathers furniture from big-name retailers and passes the savings on to its customers.
“Weâre about 60 percent of retail price, and everything in here is new,” Bernthold says.
Eclection has something for nearly every room of the home, including sectionals, sofas, love seats, tables and charis, and even wall art and other decorative items. Everything is curated to have a more modern look and feel, and it’s a vibe that’s resonating with a number of audiences.
Bernthold says they see a number of customers wanting to upgrade to a more modern look. They are also hitting opposite ends of the spectrum, attracting both first-time home buyers and those looking to downsize. Back-to-school season is just around the corner, so a number of parents and students are outfitting that first apartment, as well.
“We have an overwhelming positive response when people walk in, they love the store,” says Owner Cindy Lichtenauer.
Customers love the look, but more than that, they love the price.
Eclection initially started nearly two years ago as an online store selling through outlets like Craig’s List and Facebook.
“It just got busier and busier,” Bernthold says. “We just decided to go all in and get a store.”
They had a pickup location for online sales which pedestrians would pass by, leaving sticky notes on the door asking when they were open or if a certain piece was for sale. It further reiterated the need for a storefront.
The brick-and-mortar location opened in September 2014 at 961 E. Johnston Rd. right in between Gahanna and New Albany. It’s a high-traffic area that has only helped to grow the audience.
They’ve made some strategic pivots in the last year, removing the consignment portion of the business they originally opened with, shifting the name along with it from Home Again Furnishings to Ecelection. Business was doing well without it and some of the pieces didn’t fit with the current, fresh, modern aesthetic the store was developing.
For more information, visit eclectionoh.com.
