$398 Leather Recliners?

Port Madison Home offers home furnishings mostly in the middle to upper middle range of quality and price. When you pay more, you can expect more. When you pay less, you can adjust your expectations accordingly. Seems like a mature viewpoint. Most of us have learned by now that if you expect to have your cake and eat it too, you're headed for disappointment and resentment.

But there are those that blatantly tell us, "don't pay more -- just get more!" Doubtless you see the same full-page ads we see in the newspapers for $398 leather recliners and $598 leather sectional sofas. More furniture for less! Why wouldn't everyone buy one? And why doesn't Port Madison Home offer them?

And how about those ubiquitous imported shiny espresso "leather" chairs, sofas and benches sold at A____, P_____ B___ and elsewhere for what seem like bargain prices?

It's a truism that nearly all furniture looks good when it's new (if you like shiny brown reconstituted leather or those giant folds that typify so many recliners and put us in mind of Jabba the Hut). And in times like these, a sweet price can be compelling.

But does it bother you that those cheap leathers from China come from some environmentally nasty processing plants or that the shiny espresso finish betrays multiple layers of petroleum-based coatings that turn that cheap leather into something barely resembling leather?

Likewise, many of those heavy rustic tables and cabinets are made of solid wood that's not kiln dried, so downline you can expect them to twist and split, sometimes in a sudden and almost violent way.

Now, the fact that furniture is made in China, Vietnam, Thailand or Central or South America doesn't necessarily mean its quality is inferior. In fact, many American and European companies are manufacturing off shore at a high level of quality of design and materials and are using responsible finishes. They're doing this because labor costs there are much lower than here and because the quality many of us demand just can't be achieved here at prices we're prepared to pay.

Furniture crafted by Americans in America of sustainable American materials will cost more than that made in Asia or Central or South America. If those values are important to you, plan to pay the price and spare the space in the landfill.

Please let us know what you think.

Roomers Abound

Maybe you've heard the rumor that a high end clothing store will be moving into our building soon, displacing Port Madison Home. Or maybe you've actually passed on that same juicy story. This tale is about a year old and seems to be making the rounds again.

Let me be clear. This is a false rumor started by our landlord.

(That was a joke. Just kidding.)

There's no truth to this rumor whatsoever. We plan to be among those still standing when the end of the recent economic recession becomes evident and we all breathe a little easier and with less fear.

So if you hear that we're down for the count and will soon be selling designer jeans, please crush the story like a bug on the sidewalk. Instead, spread the rumor (this one's true) that Port Madison Home offers quality home furnishings within reach of families. Then come in and see what's new.

Here's another rumor you can start now and bet your reputation on: We're working hard to find and bring to our community new, unique, high quality gift ideas in addition to great furniture and useful things that help you enjoy your home. We're eager to hear your own ideas. Stay tuned...

Please let us know what you think.

Sustainability of Bainbridge Island Business

"Sustainability" is frequently associated with preservation of earth, water and the air we breathe. But there's another kind of sustainability we should be considering.

First, a story...

Last weekend a gentleman came into the store and expressed substantial interest in our very popular McKenzie storage bed and associated dressers, nightstands and media consoles. He had just missed the end of our recent sale period, but nevertheless wanted to take advantage of sale prices. We're happy to do this. But there's more.

Said he to our capable sales associate, "Can I make an offer? It doesn't make much sense to pay full price in this economy, does it? Why, I've been buying furniture and other things in Seattle at 40 and 60 percent off!" Our sales associate responded with a smile and asked, "Oh, and was anyone still working there?" His reply: "No, there was hardly anyone there at all!"

We're not sure he got the message, but it was clear that he cared not a whit whether or not his neighbors remained employed so long as he got a deal he could crow about.

We all want the most value we can get for our hard earned dollars and Port Madison Home routinely guarantees the low price. But when you see merchants offering deep discounts, you can be sure they're not making the money they need to pay their employees, the rent, the utilities and all the other things that keep the wheels of commerce turning and still have something left to take home or to plow back into the business. They're simply trying to get back the money they invested in the inventory. And if the discounts are super-deep store-wide, you can bet the store is in danger of going dark soon and all those people who once brought home the bacon will be looking for work, if they're not already. Those people are your neighbors and mine.

Sustaining the kind of life we love here on Bainbridge Island depends, especially in these times, upon you and me doing business with our neighbors, the people who own and operate and who work in the shops that contribute to the lifestyle we came here for in the first place.

Here are some interesting and not trivial facts that tell the story.

Please let us know what you think about this.

Looking to the future: We'd like your advice

I'm happy to report that the fourth quarter of 2009 was far and away better for us than the same period in 2008 and that December was the best of month of our year, which is all as it should be, but, thanks to our faithful customers, we're daring to be more optimistic than we've been in two years. Let's hope we're all on the right track economically.

We're always looking at our product offering, the ways we serve our customers and the way we structure our organization accordingly.

I'd be grateful if you'd help us by commenting on a couple of matters. After a little background, I'll be brief so you're not overwhelmed to the point of bailing out.

You may have seen or purchased a piece or two of our McKenzie bedroom group. Made by an Oregon company of sustainable Pacific northwest alder, it features a glazed antique cherry finish, full suspension drawer glides (the drawers extend all the way out of the cabinet so you don't lose your socks in the back of the drawer), multiple configurations of dressers and chests and, most popular of all, generous storage drawers beneath the mattress platform. We've just introduced another series by the same manufacturer. It goes by the name Pacific and features a lighter finish and a different design detail, but the same wood, the same drawer construction and the same bed storage.

The Berkeley bedroom group above is exceedinly well made in Vermont of American maple and cherry, also sustainably harvested. It is offered as shown or with six storage drawers also on full suspension glides. You can see it in more detail at the manufacturer's own website. With the storage drawers it would sell competitively for about 50% more than McKenzie or Pacific.

Here's question 1: Do you find Berkeley attractive aesthetically and/or economically? Why or why not?

Here's question 2: If most stores on Winslow Way were open after 6 pm, would you be more likely to shop them? What extended open hours would you like to see? Do you often shop after 6 pm? If yes, where do you currently shop in the evening?

Please let us know what you think.