Connecticut discount furniture chain coming to Kansas City area with two locations

Manchester, Connecticut-based Bob’s Discount Furniture is entering the market with two locations.

The retailer offers home furnishings, mattresses and home accents, including sectional sofas, dining room sets, home office, outdoor furniture, rugs, and lamps and lighting, at discounted prices by buying in bulk.

Its two area stores:

▪ Independence Commons, 19120 E. 39th St., Independence: It is taking 30,000 square feet in the center for a scheduled Sept. 2 grand opening (but it typically has a soft opening a few days before). It is hiring 26 employees for that location. Barnes & Noble formerly operated in the space.

▪ Merriam Town Center, 5760 Antioch Road, Merriam. It took 37,215 square feet for a Sept. 2 grand opening. It has hired 22 people for the store.

Hen House Market had previously operated in the space for 20 years but closed in mid-2018 when lease negotiations fell through. The site is near another home furnishing retailer, Ikea.

Bob’s Discount Furniture was founded in 1991 and has 143 stores in 22 states. The two area stores are among the “Labor Day 7,” seven store openings nationwide that will bring the retailer to 150 locations. It donates $5,000 to area communities during the grand openings.

“Bob’s was attracted to the Kansas City area because it’s a growing market with great surroundings and amazing people,” Esther Blacker, regional sales manager, said in a statement. “Equally important, we identified a real need for affordable and stylish furniture-shopping options for consumers and know they’ll love what we have to offer!”

Bob’s Discount Furniture ranked 10th in Furniture Today’s 2021 Top 100 list, with $1.713 billion in sales and 135 stores in 2020.

Currently the closest location is in West Des Moines, Iowa, but it also has three locations in the St. Louis area.