Family operation
Lynn Bonney
Originally published 09:14 a.m., March 15, 2008
Updated 09:14 a.m., March 15, 2008
When the phone rings at Guion’s Furniture Showcase, the chances are pretty good that a Guion will answer. Five Guions work at the family-owned business in west Emporia: John and Jane Guion, sons Mike and Jim Guion and Mike’s wife, Marie Guion.
As John and Jane Guion think more seriously about retirement, Mike and Marie are preparing to take their place, although Mike says that time is “a long ways off.” For Mike Guion, the preparation began years ago, when he helped his dad, who operated the Benner-Williams store in downtown Emporia.
“We kids grew up in the business,” he said, recalling his early days when he cleaned the store, made deliveries and then moved up to on-floor sales.
He worked for another business for a couple of years, but decided that working with the family was best for him.
“You learn what you don’t have” when you work for someone else, he said.
When the Benner-Williams store closed, the Guions decided to try going their own way in the furniture business, taking over the building at Sixth Avenue and Prairie Street that had formerly housed the David’s Discount Store and later a Dock 44. They started small, Mike Guion remembers, trying to fill half the space, “learning to crawl” as they went along. Now the store is bursting at the seams, he says, as the 16-year-old business has become an integral part of the Emporia community.
Over the years, Mike Guion says, he doesn’t think he’s ever worked for his dad — the two have worked together and have developed a friendship that goes beyond the father-and-son relationship. Because of that relationship, he calls his father John, rather than Dad.
“We have a good time working together,” he said, sure that he made the right decision to stick with the family business.
These days, John Guion handles the appliance-buying end of the business as well as the advertising. Mike Guion is responsible for the rest of the retail merchandise and Jim Guion is the store’s service technician. Jane Guion spends a good deal of her time at the store and Marie Guion has cut her teaching duties at St. Joseph School in Olpe to half time after 20 years. She now spends her mornings in the classroom and her afternoons at the store.
The secret to success, Mike Guion said, is a staff of easy-going people who enjoy what they do.
“Most of the people who work here feel like part of the family,” he said.
In fact, many former employees stay in touch with the business. Students who worked for the Guions during their years at Emporia State University drop by when they’re in town, bringing news of their children and sharing fond memories of their time at the store.
Mike and Marie Guion don’t have children, so he isn’t sure what will happen when the time comes for them to look for a successor.
“I’ve got a lot of nieces and nephews,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
We moved to Emporia in 1995 and made our first purchase, a new mattress and box spring, from Guion's in 1998. Since then we have wanted to shop no where else. We have purchased many items since including recliners, sofa, lamps, tables, desk, chairs, and more. Since day one we have had outstanding treatment and excellent service. Guion's is a perfect example of what a local business should be and why it pays to shop locally.
March 15, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
S71Jl08 (anonymous) says...
It was the day I came back from the hospital from having my baby when I found out that my Maytag washer, which I had bought seven years ago at Guion's, wasn't working. There were wet clothes all over my laundry room; my washer wasn't completing the cycle...I called the company and after an hour of waiting and repeating my story over, and over, to all of the reps. that I had to talked to; they finally told me to call the local retailer. I called Guion's and in less than an hour Jim Guion came to my house and fixed my washer. End of the story.
I am very glad we have Guion's here in town, and also very thankful for the service they offer to their customers.
All of my furniture and appliances are from Guion's. Thanks.
March 16, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )