This office furniture business is “kinda like a catfish”
This office furniture business is “kinda like a catfish”
“My Economy” tells the story of the new economic normal through the eyes of people trying to make it, because we know the only numbers that really matter are the ones in your economy.
For those in the business of buying and selling used office furniture, the interconnected trends of companies downsizing and workers setting up permanent home offices presents an opportunity.
“In any downturn like this, there’s opportunity to pick up deals,” said Wayne Hogan of Galaxy Office Furniture in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
He and his wife Lynda began selling furniture out of their garage back in 1982. “Ever since then, there’s times when the business has kept the marriage going and times when the marriage partnership has kept the business going,” he said.
From their storefront in the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock, Hogan said he can see consumer preferences change along with the economy.
![A sign outside of Galaxy Office Furniture in North Little Rock, Arkansas that reads, "Antiques, Retro, Cool Junk"]()
Galaxy Office Furniture carries antiques, home decor, vintage clothes, and even shares space with a grocery store and a restaurant. ![The interior of Galaxy Office Furniture in North Little Rock, Arkansas]()
“We do a little of everything,” said Wayne Hogan.
“Whenever business is good, we’re selling a lot of new office furniture,” he said. “When the economy is slow, they get a little more frugal.”
On the selling side, Hogan said there’s high demand right now for small desks as people carve out spaces to work and learn from home. “[Customers are] looking for smaller desks to replace that kitchen table office,” he said. “You’re not going to sell them a 6-foot desk.”
On the buying side, Hogan said there’s a lot of used office furniture available as companies downsize or close physical offices permanently.
“That part of our business is kind of like a catfish,” he said. “We just kind of pick up what’s on the bottom and keep everything stirred up.”
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