Michigan furniture retailer opens Coralville store in former Simpson’s location

A Warren, Mich., furniture retailer has opened franchise stores in former Simpson Furniture Co. locations in Coralville and Cedar Falls.

Art Van Furniture operates 58 furniture showrooms throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, and has 41 free standing Art VanPureSleep mattress stores. The 25,000-square-foot store at 2300 Jones Blvd. in Coralville and a 40,000-square-foot showroom in Cedar Falls will be operated as franchise stores by Simpson Furniture.

'We believe our partnership with Art Van Furniture will benefit the families we've grown with over the last 70 years,” said Dale Emmert, president of Simpson Furniture, in a news release.

The Coralville and Cedar Falls showrooms have been remodeled and will feature Art Van PureSleep. All Simpson Furniture employees were retained and Art Van Furniture anticipates hiring additional full- and part-time sales associates in the next year.

Art Van Furniture is planning to celebrate the grand openings with ribbon-cutting celebrations on July 14 at each store.

Art Van Furniture also operates Art Van Flooring, Hillside Contemporary Furniture and Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Founded in 1959, the company is a family-owned business.