Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
What began as a small-town furniture store during the final years of the Great Depression has grown into a fourth-generation family business serving communities across northeast Indiana.
This month, Reinholt’s Furniture & Mattresses is celebrating that journey with a 90th anniversary sale through Aug. 1, according to a provided news release.
The story started in March 1936 when Bill Chizum opened Knox Furniture Company in Knox. At a time when furniture stores were rare in rural communities, Chizum saw an unmet need and acted on it. He made regular buying trips to Chicago to bring quality furniture close to local farmers who didn’t have the time or means to travel. He introduced home delivery so farmers could continue their chores. He also offered flexible financing tailored to the seasonal nature of farm income.
To Chizum, his customers weren’t just buyers, they were neighbors and friends. He went out of his way to serve everyone with integrity, quality products, and exceptional service. These principles would become the enduring DNA of the family business for the next 90 years, stated the release.
In 1960, Don Reinholt, Chizum’s son-in-law, joined the business. His natural approachable style of communication put people at ease and quickly built trust. Reinholt’s attention to detail and commitment to the community helped take the business to new heights.
As the business evolved, Reinholt saw an opportunity for growth. In January 1982, he moved the family and purchased Glover Furniture in downtown Warsaw. The store became Reinholt’s Town Square Furniture and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the family.
While Don initially thought he would work 10 years before his own retirement, plans quickly changed, stated the release.
Don’s son Keith graduated from college in 1982 and started working in the business, initially part-time along with a middle school teaching job, then moving to full-time a couple years later.
Don’s son Brent started working at Reinholt’s the following summer while in high school and then the next six summers before joining the business full-time in 1992.
Now with two sons in the business, Don worked 20+ years longer than planned.
Through the years, Don set the tone of the business with emphasis on customer relationships and community involvement. Behind the scenes, everyone on the team was treated like family – regardless of their last name, stated the release.
Following in their father’s footsteps, Keith and Brent infused the family business with fresh perspectives, renewed vision, and energetic drive. Keith’s warm personality and friendliness fostered many loyal customers over the years, while Brent’s big-picture thinking and attention to detail helped the business grow and stay true to its core values, according to the release.
In 2018, Brent stepped into the role of president and emphasized the importance of elevating the customer experience. Recognizing that shopping for furniture and mattresses can often feel confusing and overwhelming, the team worked to enhance every aspect of the customer journey, from website research and in-store shopping to in-home delivery and service after the sale. While customers have endless choices of where to shop, they will see and feel a difference when working with Reinholt’s.
More than 40 years after moving to Warsaw, another opportunity emerged. In 2024, Reinholt’s expanded into Columbia City after the retirement of David and Pat Ball, longtime owners of Ball Furniture. Recognizing the strong reputation Ball Furniture had built over 63 years, Reinholt’s opened a second location while preserving the same commitment to customer care and community involvement.
The grand opening of Reinholt’s Furniture & Mattresses was held on July 6, 2024. The name was important because in Warsaw, everyone knew they had furniture, but not everyone knew they also had mattresses, stated the release. Putting it into the name would leave no doubt. In fact, a year later, they changed the Warsaw name to Reinholt’s Furniture & Mattresses as well
Today, Reinholt’s Furniture & Mattresses draws from the combined legacy of three respected local furniture businesses: Knox Furniture Company, Glover Furniture and Ball Furniture.
“Everything we do today is built on the values established by those businesses and the people who came before us,” said owner Brent Reinholt. “Our goal has always been to provide quality furniture, fair prices and exceptional service while treating customers like neighbors and friends.”
Reinholt’s is inviting the public to take part in its 90th anniversary sale from through Aug. 1. Shoppers will find special anniversary pricing, with the opportunity to save an extra 5% when paying in full with cash, check or debit card.
While shopping, customers can register for prize drawings with a combined value exceeding $25,000. This includes Tempur-Pedic mattress sets, La-Z-Boy recliners, Franklin sectionals, Best swivel chairs, Liberty TV consoles, Vaughan-Bassett complete bed sets, A-America wood rockers and Bassett leather power reclining sofas.
The celebration also highlights the services that have helped define the company since its earliest days, including fast delivery, professional in-home setup and removal of old furniture and mattresses, making the shopping experience easy and convenient for customers, stated the release.
Reinholt’s is hosting two pancake breakfasts, calling the events “Flapjacks, Friends & Furniture.” While free pancakes, sausage and coffee are great, it’s the friends you share them with that truly make the event special.
On Saturday, visit the Warsaw location between 8 and 10:30 a.m. to celebrate with current staff, plus a special appearance by Keith Reinholt who is back from his home in Winter Garden, Fla.
On Aug. 1, visit the Columbia City location between 8 and 10:30 a.m. where you can enjoy breakfast with the Reinholt’s team along with longtime friends David and Pat Ball.
Brent Reinholt is extremely proud of the people who work here. They genuinely care about the customers and are truly committed to making every experience positive. No matter who on the team you work with, you are working with family, stated the release.
Helping to keep these beliefs alive and well are fourth-generation Reinholts: Steven, Hannah and Garrett. United with the entire staff, they aim to recognize these 90 years of serving our communities, building relationships, and helping to make homes more inviting and comfortable. The Reinholt family feels incredibly blessed to build off the past and help shape the future for generations to come, according to the release.
