Our Story
A History of the World’s Largest Furniture Store
Since 1969 —
As the largest furniture store in North Carolina, the country and the world, Furnitureland South has more than a million square feet of high-quality discount furniture with names you will recognize and trust.
1969
Darrell Harris started selling furniture with a few catalogs, showroom samples, an old truck and a big idea. His idea? Provide customers with personalized service and exceptional value for handcrafted North Carolina furniture.
1970
Mr. and Mrs. Harris hired their first employee to deliver furniture.
1973
In 1972, Darrell took out a small loan to give Furnitureland South its first storefront. Strategically positioned on South Main Street in the furniture capital of the world, this High Point company was planted like a seed. Stella Harris, Darrell’s wife, knew the financial risk they were taking as entrepreneurs and parents to a young family, but she whole-heartedly supported her husband’s vision.
1977
As the couple nurtured their vision for the company, it grew. Their formula for providing personalized service and exceptional value was successful in building a loyal customer base. There was only one thing missing — a large selection.
After building the 17,000 square-foot showroom in 1977, Furnitureland South found more space to showcase its furnishings in Jamestown, North Carolina — only miles from its first store in downtown High Point.
1988
In a season of massive growth, this family-owned and operated business began one decade with a building located on the opposite side of its original Main Street location. In 1988, the Harris’ purchased the property along Business 85 and began building. Soon, Furnitureland South was given the title of the world’s largest furniture store.
Darrell and Stella Harris’ oldest son, Jeff Harris, became the first of the second generation of Harris’ to formally work at Furnitureland South after years of mowing the company lawn, taking out the trash and moving literally thousands of pieces of furniture.
1990
The 400,000 square foot Showroom, which runs parallel to Business 85 South in Jamestown, North Carolina, replaced the 78,000 square foot store on South Main Street in High Point by opening 30 shoppable galleries. This three-story building still included corporate offices, warehouse space and shipping docks. When this shift occurred, the South Main Street location located just miles away became Furnitureland South’s clearance center.
1992
A 342,000 square foot Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center was built. This building now serves as the Outlet.
1994
Darrell and Stella’s son, Jason Harris, joined his brother and parents in the family business.
1999
To further enhance the shopper’s experience, Furnitureland South enlarged its showroom space again by opening the Mart — known for the world’s largest 18th-Century highboy replica. The Mart houses an additional 420,000 square feet of specialized galleries including leather, youth, rugs, outdoor and more.
Along with the completion of the Mart, Furnitureland South built its infamous landmark and symbol — the world’s largest 18th-Century highboy replica.
2001
With the new millennium, Furnitureland South required a larger, unified Distribution Center — complete with innovative rack system, climate control system and pickers. This new addition freed space for the Outlet Center that we know today, but that wasn’t the only change that came about during this decade. The Showroom Tower and the Eco-Link were also notable additions to our ever-growing and evolving campus.
2008
Furnitureland South became the only furniture store in the world with a Starbucks.
2010
In honor of their contribution to the furniture industry and entrepreneurial spirit, Darrell and Stella Harris were inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Darrell Harris said, “Our family is thankful that God blessed us with good health, thankful for our many dedicated and honorable employees, thankful to our manufacturing partners, and especially thankful to our many clients for being so loyal and supportive.”
2015
Furnitureland South was recognized as one of the “Triad’s Best Places to Work” by the Triad Business Journal.
The inaugural A. Darrell Harris Memorial Golf Tournament raised $100,000 for Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. Furnitureland South continues to host this tournament annually to contribute to honorable foundations, including the Salvation Army and Victory Junction Camp.
Subway joins Starbucks as the second dining option located on Furnitureland South’s campus. Occupying the space formally known as The Café, this nontraditional Subway restaurant is just over 6,500 square feet and seats over 200 people.
2016
Home Furnishings Business named Furnitureland South #1 in the nation among the Large Independent category of furniture stores in their 6th Annual Power 50 rankings.
In April 2016, High Point University announced that one of its education centers would be named in honor of the Harris family. The Harris Sales Education Center reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of Darrell and Stella Harris, who founded Furnitureland South, and Jeff and Jason Harris, who carry on the legacy today.
In the same month, Furnitureland South was nominated for the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award for our support of the National Guard and military reserves
2017
Furnitureland South named a finalist in the retail division of the 29th Annual ARTS Awards hosted by the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.
2018
In April of 2018, Furnitureland Contract, North Carolina’s premier furniture showroom, opened its doors for business. Located on the second floor of the corporate building, Furnitureland South’s commercial furniture division features 30,000 square feet of contract-grade furniture suited to meet the needs of many varying businesses, including medical facilities, educational spaces, professional offices and more!
Additionally, Furnitureland South owner Jeff Harris was named one of the North Carolina Triad’s Most Admired CEO and one of the Triad’s Fast 50.
2019
As the Furnitureland South family grew, so did the Harris family. Today, three generations of Harris’ have worked for our family-owned company, and we've impacted our community, including contributions to the Salvation Army, the American Heart Association and Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Brenner Children’s Hospital.
TODAY
Today, Furnitureland South clients browse 1.3 million square feet of showroom space that offers a vast selection of quality furnishings, a Design Center, a Starbucks shop and a Subway restaurant. A one-of-a-kind shopping experience offers furniture customers access to millions of furnishings and thousands of fabrics to bring their creative vision to life.