3:45 p.m. August 22, 2014
Popular Knoxville furniture store undergoing a huge makeover and expansion

Rendering of the new Brown Squirrel interior.

KNOXVILLE — A popular Knoxville furniture store is beginning construction of a new exterior and a newly expanded 70,000 square foot showroom beginning this month. Brown Squirrel furniture in West Knoxville is rebranding its 43-year-old store with the latest design trends and modern technology.

“My goal is to create a completely different shopping experience than other stores in our market” said Preston Matthews, President of Brown Squirrel Furniture. Brown Squirrel is creating an environment that is reflective of the East Tennessee region and community heritage. The showroom addition is designed by Connie Post International and will feature the latest interior trends and designs. “We want our Superstore to be a destination that families enjoy shopping in, for whatever they need to help make their house a home.”

Featured vendors will be England Furniture, Vaughn Bassett, Futura Leather, Simmon’s Beautyrest, Liberty, Folio 21, Fusion, and Legends. Brown Squirrel is primarily focused on “American Made” manufacturing resources and supporting the local economy with vendors such as England, located only 45 miles from its store in Tazewell, TN. ”We felt like this was a huge opportunity to partner with one of the largest domestic upholstery manufactures in the country who is located almost in our back yard” said Matthews. By partnering with England Furniture, Brown Squirrel will be able to offer customers quality products, greater furniture choices, and quick delivery while supporting the local economy.

Douglas E. Matthews, father of Preston Matthews, founded Brown Squirrel Furniture in 1971. His background with the Knoxville community goes back to 1953 with the opening of Modern Day Furniture and then Wellington Galleries in 1961.

Brown Squirrel Furniture is located adjacent to I-40 and next to Scripps Networks Corporate Headquarters, home of cable channels HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel. For more information on Brown Squirrel, visit brownsquirrelfurniture.com.

Published August 22, 2014