
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994                    TAG: 9406040101 
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN                     PAGE: 10    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY CAROLE O'KEEFFE 
DATELINE: 940605                                 LENGTH: SUFFOLK

FURNITURE STORE'S RENOVATION FEATURES HOMEY ROOM SETTINGS

{LEAD} Workers have been applying the final touches to a nearly $200,000 renovation of the Heilig-Meyers furniture store at 219 W. Washington St. downtown.

Planning for the face lift began early this year, and workmen got started in April, store manager G. Raymond Asbell said.

{REST} ``Crews have been working night and day since,'' said Asbell, who held a grand re-opening on Friday and Saturday.

Every surface in the store has been replaced or renewed, painted or wallpapered, Asbell said.

``It's a total renovation,'' he said. ``A complete new design.''

Bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms are set up like they would be in a customer's home.

``Each one has its own unique look,'' he said.

In addition, the major appliance section, now called Electric Express, has new signs and an updated appearance.

The 20,000-square-foot store has been in business downtown for 22 years.

The store employs 16 and is part of a chain of nearly 600 stores in 23 states.

Heilig-Meyers is the country's largest publicly held home furnishings retailer, founded in 1913 in Goldsboro, N.C., Asbell said.

by CNB