Owner of stores settles accounts

Just in time for Christmas, the owner of two local furniture stores that abruptly closed earlier this month is apparently making good with his former employees and customers.

"That definitely made Christmas happen," employee Keith Skinner said.

Owner Joe Sherman paid Skinner the nearly $1,900 he was owed, and Skinner said he believes the other nine employees were paid as well.

Employees at Discount Furniture Warehouse, 2009 Missouri Blvd., and the affiliated location at Capital Mall, Furniture Made Easy, initially said they felt deceived by Sherman. He announced after the close of business on Dec. 7 that a bank was foreclosing on the businesses, and preventing him from paying them their final checks.

Skinner, who is married and has four children, said his final paycheck helps with Christmas, but that he's still looking for a job.

Casey Jones, another employee, also said Sherman paid him the approximate $800 he was owed. He said he and the other employees never intended to tarnish Sherman's reputation, but that they simply wanted to be paid.

Shocked customers also questioned whether they would receive furniture they ordered. Skinner said he saw customers recently picking up their orders. "It might take awhile, but it looks like they're definitely getting taken care of," he said.

Lynette Dziadosz of Jefferson City was one of the customers who initially was worried about receiving the sofa and love seat that she ordered. Her order hadn't come in at the time the stores closed.

On Wednesday, she said that not only had she received her items, but that Sherman was "very, very, very, very nice and very accommodating."

She said she was disappointed the businesses were closing, because she finally found a furniture store that she liked. She said the sales staff members weren't pushy, and that they gladly gave her a military discount because her husband serves in the Missouri National Guard.

She said Sherman apologized for closing, and made sure her order was filled. The only thing she doesn't yet have is the paperwork for a Scotchguard protection policy, but Sherman assured her she would get it.

"I just hope they have a chance to reopen sometime," Dziadosz said. "And I want to let people know they're keeping their word."

Sherman could not be reached for comment.