Rome Township Shop sells furniture and home decor
Published Friday, March 4, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.
- Left: Furniture available at CloseT*26 Home Furnitures in the Rome area. Right: The Buddha statue is one of the unique items available at CloseT*26 Home Furnitures in the Rome District. (Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Lori Buffington, along with her husband Alex, is co-owner of CloseT*26 Home Furnitures in the Rome area. (Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
CloseT*26 Home Furnishing Shop carries a variety of products.
ROME TOWNSHIP — “Whatever people want,” Lori Buffington said of what the store she runs with her husband, Alex, offers.
Four months ago, the couple opened CloseT*26 Home Furnishings, a furniture and home decor store at 8009 County Road 107.
“We have something for every room,” she said. “From art to toothbrush holders to accent pieces to large pieces of furniture.”
CloseT*26 Home Furnishings is dedicated to the memory of Lori Buffington's daughter Tabitha, who came up with the idea for the store. (Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
Buffington said they specialize in larger items like sofas and desks, and offer everything from cribs to mirrors and bar stools.
They also sell accessories such as shampoo.
Buffington said business has been good, word of mouth has spread, and Faith Group has grown to 1,500 members.
She said customers typically line up outside as soon as the store opens on days when they receive packages from Wayfair.
Buffington said all of the items in the store are “new, straight out of the box.” Her husband will put it together,” she said, but she added that those who want to do it themselves have that option as well.
She cited positive feedback she received online, with one customer praising the owner's friendliness and helping her find the perfect couch within 30 minutes.
The review said, “They treated me like family.”
Buffington said customers prefer being able to view the pieces under lighting rather than simply shopping online.
“And they like to touch and feel things,” she said.
CloseT*26 Home Furnitures is located at 8009 County Rd. 107 in the Roman District. (Ironton Tribune | Heath Harrison)
The store was the brainchild of her late daughter, Tabitha, and she said it has meaning for the family as well.
“This would have been hers and we decided to finish what she wanted to do,” Buffington said.
A sign in the store window is dedicated to her memory.
“And we're going to keep it in the family,” Buffington said.
She said she likes to offer something unique in addition to common furniture pieces.
A large Buddha statue is for sale near the entrance, and Buffington talks about a large dinosaur head ornament that a customer recently purchased.
She showed a photo of a see-through turret with two adult visitors on board that had recently been placed in the store.
“We want to offer a variety of things that you won’t find anywhere else,” she said.
CloseT*26 is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
