Barry and Pat O鈥橦andley have a keen understanding about the retail sector, and they try to bring that knowledge to their business, Room by Room Furniture.
They also recognize the importance of the employees and customers in having a successful retail business.
The retail business supplies all home furnishings, including fireplaces, bedroom suites, bedding accessories and living room furniture. Nine people are currently employed at the business, which is located at the intersection of Sixth Street and 13th Avenue in downtown Estevan.
Room by Room won a pair of awards through the Readers鈥� Choice Best of Estevan contest offered by Estevan Mercury Publications, taking home recognitions for the best furniture sales and best fireplace sales.
Barry O鈥橦andley said it鈥檚 a good feeling to win through Best of Estevan. When the Mercury last offered the competition back in 2011, Room by Room won in the same categories.
鈥淲hen you have the people in general voting on it, it makes you feel pretty good, but when it鈥檚 all said and done, they obviously feel that we must be a fair and honest retailer to support us the way they have, and we鈥檙e very lucky to have the support from the community and the surrounding areas that we do have,鈥� said O鈥橦andley.
He believes the employees are ultimately the biggest reason Room by Room was selected for these awards for the second straight time. They鈥檙e non-commissioned, so they鈥檙e willing to spend time with customers no matter the size of the purchase.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e just the best people in the industry, as far as I鈥檓 concern, with the knowledge of product and the time they will take to serve a customer,鈥� said O鈥橦andley.
The O鈥橦andleys have become very passionate about working in retail. They enjoy working with the public, and there is a sense of satisfaction associated with owning their own business, even if it is a lot of work.
鈥淭here鈥檚 also the flip side of that of the rewards and the good people you get to meet, and the great staff that you have over the years,鈥� said O鈥橦andley.
The people make the biggest difference, he said. The O鈥橦andleys enjoy working with their staff and the store鈥檚 customers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the great people that you meet through retail and you probably wouldn鈥檛 have that opportunity if you鈥檙e not in that retail sector,鈥� said O鈥橦andley. 鈥淭he people who come through your door every day become your friends, and it鈥檚 a great relationship that way.鈥�
The O鈥橦andleys started in retail in 1976 when they opened Barry鈥檚 Stereo Village in Estevan. They sold stereos, televisions and other home electronics. Then they managed Econo Furniture and Sound.
In 2004, they decided it was time to run their own business.
Retail has changed a lot due to the growth of online shopping, he said. People are turning more to online shopping that wasn鈥檛 there when they first started in business.
鈥淓very time somebody shops on the Internet or on Amazon, they鈥檙e taking money out of the retailers pockets that used to support the hospital or Creighton Lodge or ball teams, or any sort or recreation that we normally do,鈥� said O鈥橦andley.
But he reminds the public that when they shop at a local business, they are supporting their community.
鈥淲e support baseball and hockey and the community in general.鈥�
It鈥檚 important for businesses to support other organizations in the community, too.聽 Room by Room enjoys giving back, he said, and it鈥檚 the support from the community that has allowed them to make those donations.
The O鈥橦andleys are always looking for new product lines to add to the business, and they look forward to continuing to serve the public.
