Ed Turner furnishes dreams and homes since 1981

Ed Turner furnishes dreams and homes since 1981

Written by Michelle Davis Saturday, 10 September 2005

Ed Turner, owner of Turner’s Furniture in Round Rock, grew up in Oklahoma City during the Depression. He dropped out of high school and went to work for his dad full time in their family grocery store. By 17, he opened his own store but went broke within a short time.

The day before he closed his grocery store, he had to tell his best customer that he would be going out of business, and that he and his wife would have to find another store to buy their groceries.

“He asked me what I would do for work,” Turner said. “When I told him I didn’t know the answer to that, he told me to talk to his boss about getting a job in the furniture business. Monday morning, I was there at 8 a.m.”

And that is how in 1948, he began work as a traveling furniture salesman, and he’s been in the furniture business ever since.

Turner has owned a Round Rock furniture store for the last 25 years. He says he met a man in July, 1981, who was leasing a building off 620 in Round Rock.

“I signed a lease that was written on an ice cream shop’s napkin, while I enjoyed a chocolate sundae,” Turner said.

His store has since moved twice and is now located in old downtown Round Rock, next to the Louisiana Longhorn Café.

Turner attributes his business success to advice his uncle gave him long ago.

“My uncle told me to commit to the job for one year no matter how bad it might get. I attribute my success to something as simple as working for a year at any given job. He also told me to always work hard no matter how many coffee breaks co-workers take because someone is always watching. Those that are working hard will move up.”

Turner says he believes his competitor is the rare salesman in any furniture store who treats customers decently and honestly.

“We treat people like human beings with the Christian love in our hearts,” Turner said. “We try to be honest with them.”

During the interview a mother and kids came into the store for their weekly visit to listen to the grandfather clocks chime. “Some things are just too important to put off,” Turner said. Turner set the clocks to chime as the children listened and watched in awe .

“At Turner’s they’ve always been really friendly. They know who you are and they remember your name when you walk in.”

Josie Durante, Round Rock, Customer at Turner’s for 10 years

“There is no telling how many rooms we’ve furnished through Turner’s. When the wife wants a new dinette or bedroom set, we go to Turner’s and buy a new one to replace it.”

Pete Martinez, Taylor, Customer at Turner’s for 15 years

Turners Furniture, 200 E Main Ave # A, Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-255-7416