Beatrice Ashley HomeStore sales to benefit Food Pantry, Willow Center

BEATRICE - A Beatrice couple who co-own the Indian Creek Mall and the Ashley Furniture HomeStore there will celebrate a milestone on Saturday and help out others at the same time.

A 50th anniversary sale at the Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Beatrice will raise money to provide food assistance in the area and mattresses for needy children.

"I didn't realize all of the people that are actually hungry in this area. So, we've got a few favorite charities and the food pantry is probably at the top of the list. We'll donate all the sales of the Ashley Store tomorrow to a couple of charities....the food pantry being one of them...the Willow Women's Pregnancy Resource and Adoption Center is going to be the other one. We may look at some other local food pantries like Wymore and Marysville(KS.)"

Stan and Judy Meyer’s Ashley business is the anchor store at the Indian Creek mall in north Beatrice. Judy Meyer says with the coronavirus pandemic altering traditional campaigns like the Community Food Pantry and Emergency Services drive, she’s hoping Saturday’s sales will make a difference.

"We are hoping for a gangbuster day tomorrow so we have lots to donate, because they are in a great need.....they can't do their annual drive and it's especially needed this year, I think. If we're blessed, we want to share that with others and what a great thing to share....because it's all ages and everyone benefits from that."

Along with in-store traffic, online ordering at ashleyfurniture.com is another way for people to help out.
"We are taking all the online orders...and then everything is dropped off at your house, free", Stan Meyer says.

The Meyer’s Ashley Home Store is also donating mattresses during the Saturday event.....fifty twin mattresses to needy kids in the area.
The mattress distribution will be administered by the Community Food Pantry and the Willow Center.

As the holidays approach and the nation deals with the pandemic, the couple says online sales have increased.

Stan says, "Sales have been very strong, because nobody seems to be traveling. They're fixing up their kitchens and buying new furniture. So, it's been really strong. Now, as far as the rest of the year, it's anybody's guess. Product is extremely hard to get, but we've planned ahead really well so we have a lot of items in stock. We hope for a good Christmas, but we'll see."

Stan and Judy both say it doesn’t seem like fifty years have flown by, in their business.

(Stan) "it went by fast." (Judy) "It's been a great ride". (Stan) "Our daughter Jenny has managed the store and is doing a great job and we get a lot of vacation time and personal time away. So, we're here to assist a little bit, yet...but we're gone more than we're here. We plan to increase that "gone" part as time goes on."

Ashley HomeStore Saturday hours for the 50th anniversary event will be 10 a.m. until five p.m.