A Furniture Store THaT*s Incredible!

What makes customers travel from as far away as Baltimore, Washington, Northern Virginia and even Florida to THaT* Furniture Store in Salisbury? The answer is simple—unique, superb-quality furniture at amazingly low prices!

If you have looked longingly at the interiors featured in glossy magazines like Vogue and Architectural Digest, you will be delighted to know that you can buy equally impressive furniture pieces at only a fraction of their original selling prices.

Owners Mike and Dianne Ringer have access to furniture from over 2,500 manufacturers worldwide who supply nationally known interior designers, and stores like Neiman Marcus and Gump's. The secret is that each piece has a minor imperfection—the sort of flaw that happens so easily in the home, anyway.

The result? The Ringers can offer these enviable items at discounts of 50 to 80 percent off the prices you'd pay in New York and other big cities. This means that most items are well over 50 percent off—not just a few! So, it's no surprise that the quality furniture you find at THaT* Furniture Store can be seen in films and on TV.

“These chairs were on the set of Donald Trump's Apprentice show,” said Mike as he pointed to a pair of striking, high-backed, Japanese-style chairs beside a picture showing them on the show's set.

The newly expanded, 10,000-square-foot showroom stocks an eclectic mix of products that echo Dianne's taste. “I don't have anything here that I wouldn't want in my own home,” she said as she walked past beautiful top-grain Italian leather sofas, hand-painted French provincial tables, stone and glass-topped tables, dramatic Chinese-red cabinets, classical, modern and transitional pieces.

The Ringers' passion for saving money began more than 15 years ago when money was really scarce. With son Tyler a toddler, and daughter Ragen about to be born, Mike was laid-off from work and hard-pressed to survive on Dianne's income alone as a home-based daycare mom. A soon-to-be graduate of Salisbury University, Mike turned to his marketing skills and promoted restaurants in the area and delivered Chinese food to homes on the West Side. Though times were tough, they continued to give faithfully to their church and relied on God to meet their every need and He did. After finishing college, Mike spent almost 11 years as an account executive at Clear Channel Radio. Mike and Dianne have come a long way from their humble beginnings of government-subsidized housing and financial assistance.

“What motivates us most is our faith in the Lord,” says Mike. Their favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Mike said, “The Lord has given us this verse to see us through the difficult times and we give God all the glory for what we have been able to accomplish!”

Interior designers, along with home and business owners come from miles around to look for pieces of imperfectly fine furniture that will add that special touch to their decor. “We shipped a whole houseful of furniture to Boca Raton, Fla.,” said Dianne. Furniture from THaT* Furniture Store can also be found in numerous restaurants, doctors' offices and businesses throughout Delmarva.

As parents—Tyler and Ragen are now 15 and 14 respectively—the Ringers know how important it is to combine comfort with style. After all, you don't want to be on pins and needles at home, where you should feel most relaxed. With furniture from THaT* Furniture Store you don't have to worry that your priceless heirloom pieces might begin showing wear with everyday use. They already have their “good luck” dings. And you have not paid a fortune for them, either. An item originally priced at thousands of dollars can be yours for hundreds. That should lower Dad's blood pressure!

Whether you're looking for a hand-carved, glass-faceted piece reconstructed from antique solid pine, a comfortable, luxurious leather sofa or an Oriental highlight to brighten up a dark corner, you're sure to find something of great taste and distinction for your home—at a price that's very comfortable on your pocket book!

An extensive in-store display at the showroom on Route 13 North and a nearby, high-capacity warehouse, ensure that THaT* Furniture Store is well-equipped with the show-stopping home decor you long for—something that makes you smile with satisfaction every time you look at it. But, these are one-of-a-kind items, so be sure you come ready to make a decision.

Stop by, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and have a shopping adventure at THaT* Furniture Store! 1005 N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Md., (next to Ponzetti's Pizza) 410-543-THAT

By Wendy Thompson / Photos by Kim Mangum
Metropolitan Magazine - August 2007