SOUTH BEND,Ind. -- According to the Home Furnishings Association because furniture retailers rely on imported materials, those taxes will directly increase the cost of furniture and raw materials. That impacts consumers and retailers.
Liberty & 33rd Furniture Co. in South Bend sells previously owned pieces of furniture from several time periods, many that have been revamped.
Andrew Skipper is the Design Director at Liberty & 33rd and says they buy pieces domestically.
“We’re buying pieces that are European and American that have been brought over maybe 100 years ago, maybe 50 years ago. So, we don't have any tariffs that are affecting our bottom line and our business, which means we don't have to pass anything on to our customers,” said Skipper.
Beyond tariffs, Skipper says buying used furniture can also benefit the planet.
“Vintage and antique pieces are definitely green, they are better for the environment. They are already manufactured. They were made better, back in the day as we all know. And a lot of pieces were also made domestically, even back in the 1980's--the heyday of furniture in Grand Rapids and High Point, North Carolina,” said Skipper.
Skipper says they sell furniture online exclusively. He says they have seen an uptick in business since the tariffs were announced.
“I think that people are looking to save money in any place that they can. And so, they are looking to buy from not only US-based businesses, but also businesses that source their products domestically,” said Skipper.
Marcia Colip, Owner of Whims and Wishes Interiors, a South Bend furniture shop, says tariffs are not being reflected in their pricing.
Colip has been in the furniture industry for 30 years. In that time, she says a lot has happened economically, like the pandemic or the 2008 recession.
She says this is part of the journey of doing business and that tariffs. Colip says it’s brought more of a focus to US-based furniture companies in the last few months and thinks this is going to end up being good for our country.
“The tariff thing is not a factor for our particular store. We deal with as many US companies as we possibly can. I do not like dealing with companies where it's solely manufactured in China. If it's subbed out to other countries, then I'll play. Vietnam, Mexico, and other countries out there. But I try to deal with US companies,” said Colip.
Colip says she's worked with a lot of manufacturers through ups and downs over the years. She says she can change who she does business quickly, if needed. She says she has had to make changes before, because she felt some companies were price-gouging.