Driveway delivery, online and phone sales, and drive-through pick up still available
Nebraska Furniture Mart announced Tuesday that the company will temporarily close showrooms at each of its four locations, including the Kansas City, Kansas, store, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27.
The move was made because of continued public health concerns surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, according to a company statement.
There is not yet a timeline for re-opening – NFM is in the same boat as other businesses; they will continue to monitor the latest information and make adjustments as appropriate, according to a spokesman.
The NFM store in Omaha, Nebraska, closed once before in 1975, after a tornado destroyed parts of the city. Rose Blumkin, NFM founder, ensured the store would open a year later, citing the need to serve the community.
“Nothing is more important to us than being there for our friends and neighbors,” NFM CEO Irv Blumkin said in the statement. “In our 83-year history, we’ve made it a point to see our friends and family through trying times. We have taken the steps necessary to rise to this challenge and make sure people still have access to essential items they need to make this difficult period less stressful.”
In recent weeks, the company has proactively minimized the risk of exposure while serving customers and donating essential items to first responders in several markets, the spokesman stated.
Stores have operated with reduced hours since March 23. Employees who are able to work from home have been encouraged to do so, according to the spokesman. NFM has also encouraged customers to shop online and take advantage of contact-free drive-through pickup and driveway delivery options, which will continue to be available during the closing of showrooms.
“Like everyone around the world, our team has monitored this situation very closely as it has developed over the past few weeks,” NFM President Tony Boldt said. “We have been in communication with our local public health departments and followed their recommendations on how to best serve our community’s needs while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and customers.”
While the showrooms are closed, customers can still shop online at nfm.com or over the phone by calling 800-336-9136, ext. 22421. Warehouse and delivery staff are being coached on best practices as recommended by local health officials as well as the CDC and the WHO. NFM created a Pandemic Emergency Pay Plan for eligible NFM staff members making compensation available while work is interrupted during the COVID-19 crisis, according to the spokesman. Currently, there is no target date for reopening showroom floors.
“This situation evolves every day, sometimes by the hour and we will continue to monitor developments,” Boldt said. “We will continue to adjust our response as necessary. The health and safety of our staff, our customers and our community will always be our number one priority. We’re happy to serve our customers online, but we look forward to opening our doors again and offering the personalized service NFM is known for.”
Nebraska Furniture Mart was founded by Rose Blumkin in 1937 in the basement of her husband’s pawn shop in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1983, investor Warren Buffett purchased a majority interest in NFM and made it part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. Today, NFM is one of the nation’s largest home furnishings retailer, selling furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics. NFM currently has locations in Omaha, Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City, Kansas and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. For more information on Nebraska Furniture Mart, visit www.nfm.com.