by New stores bring the retailer’s footprint to 16 locations in North and South Carolina
AIKEN, S.C. — Queen City Home, which acquired six former Badcock Furniture & More locations last fall, has acquired three more storefronts in South Carolina, bringing the total Queen City Homestore footprint to 16 locations.
The three latest stores include Aiken, South Carolina, which had a soft opening last month, with a grand opening set for mid-to-late April; Greenwood, South Carolina, which will have a soft opening later this month and a grand opening planned in late April; and the third in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, which will have a soft opening in early April and a grand opening later that month.
The showroom floors range from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet and are in addition to former Badcock locations that the retailer acquired in Fayetteville, Durham, Burlington, Goldsboro and Rockingham, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina late last year.
Originally known as Queen City Audio Video & Appliances, the retailer rebranded in January as Queen City Homestore. In addition to home appliances and electronics, the stores now offer furniture and bedding, expanding their footprint to the home furnishings sector and filling a void left in the respective markets where the Badcock stores closed as part of the Conn’s bankruptcy last summer.
“Our goal with the rebrand is simple,” said Roddey Player, owner, president and chief executive officer of Queen City Homestore, in a release issued earlier this year. “We wanted a name that was easier to say, easier to remember and one that truly reflects the full scope of products we offer today. As we look to the future, we knew it was time for a more modern and approachable identity — one that speaks to the broad range of home solutions we provide for our customers.”
The company also developed a new logo and hired both experienced former management as well as key employees of Badcock. These included David Horvath, a former Badcock furniture buyer who is now category manager for furniture; Evan Sides and Justin Klinegardner, former Badcock franchise owners; and Luis Nater, a former franchise owner who will help the company serve the Hispanic community.
The company also hired Dave Orrico, former regional manager at Nationwide Marketing Group, to support general sales, merchandising and operations for all markets.
“With the addition of this skilled team, Queen City is poised to strategically expand into these markets across the Carolinas,” the company said.
“It’s an exciting time for our brand,” said Victoria Alicea, director of marketing at Queen City Homestore. “The new name and logo reflect the evolution of our business, with an expanded product range that includes furniture, in addition to the high-quality appliances, electronics and mattresses our customers know and love. While our offerings have grown, our commitment to delivering excellent service and great value remains unchanged.”
And with the three new stores, the company has further enhanced its footprint while filling a void in those respective markets.
“We are so very excited to enter into these new markets in South Carolina,” Horvath told Home News Now. “Badcock & More had a rich history in South Carolina and an excellent track record of becoming an important part of the community.
“Queen City Homestore owner Roddey Player is so excited to become a part of these cities and to continue former relationships and build new relationships in the community to last generations. We aim to be the destination in North and South Carolina for our guests’ whole-home needs.”
