Furniture Mart, Ashley and Ashley Outlet Grand Opening

The new furniture stores — Furniture Mart, Ashley and Ashley Outlet — recently opened in Duluth with a combined 120,000 square feet of furniture in the former Shopko location at 801 W. Central Entrance near Miller Hill Mall. The public is invited to attend a grand opening celebration. Local officials and ambassadors from the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to greet company leadership and welcome them to the business community with a ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m.

To celebrate this grand opening, Furniture Mart USA will partner with a local nonprofit in Duluth to provide 20 new twin beds to children in need. And a portion of every mattress sold will continue to support the Hope to Dream program. A representative from the chosen nonprofit has been invited to attend the grand opening.

Furniture industry veteran Russ Poderzay leads the local team as store manager. Furniture Mart founder and chairman of the board Bill Hinks grew up in nearby Siren, Wis., where his family operated a small grocery store. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Furniture Mart USA, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., operates more than 50 stores in 37 communities across six states — Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois.