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QUITMAN — This Monday marks the last day of Romine Furniture’s Going out of Business Sale, and after 95 years of service, Romine Furniture will close its doors, forever.

Serving the community since 1914, Romine Furniture is located at 213 E. Screven St. in the downtown Quitman area. The sale features items priced as low as 50 to 75 percent off.

Business owners John and Nancy Romine have been raised around retail all their lives. Both initially in the teaching field, with Nancy originally from Valdosta, the two married and remained in Quitman. With a lifelong background in retail, taking over the family business was second nature to John.

“My grandfather, Walter Patrick, started the business in 1914, and then my father went into business with him during the 1930s around the depression period,” said John. “I began working with my father (B.H. Romine) in 1971. I never initially set out to carry the family business, but one day my father told me that he was willing to stay in the business if I’d come work with him. If not, he would leave, needless to say he stayed and worked here until he passed.”

The business originally opened in 1914 as Cook Patrick Furniture before later becoming known as Patrick’s Furniture, then Romine Furniture.

The store moved to Screven Street in 1978, providing floor coverings, window treatments, quality furniture, and appliances. A line of bridal gifts was added to provide couples with items for their new homes and to add a flare to purchasing furniture.

John said that the business once held a wedding in the window of the store and provided the bride and groom with a bedroom set as their gift.

“I’ve really enjoyed offering the wedding registry services,” said Nancy. “Being able to make things convenient for customers by wrapping their gifts and delivering if needed right before the big wedding has been great.”

The Chamber of Commerce recently commended the Romines for their hard work and service throughout the years with the Merit in Community Service Award. Committing to 95 years of service requires patience, an attention to detail, as well as customer service.

Employee loyalty and hard work have also been credited with a portion of the business’s success. Some have been employed for over 50 years. Employees Red Hadley, Marcus Johnson, Jonathan Brookshire, and Federick Statum have helped with the past and present to ensure the business is run smoothly.

“My father’s motto was the house that service built,” said John. “Meaning that if you always handle the customer the right way with good service, then they’ll become a repeat customer.”

The Romines have two sons, Josh and Spencer Romine, who have also seen the business grow and serve the community.

“The reasoning for selling the building isn’t due to the recession at all,” said the Romines. “We’ve worked six days a week for 38 years, and we would like time to spend with the grandchildren and to do the things we love doing. Selling the building just fell into place.”

John said that, upon first working in the store, he had no idea how to sell or even talk to people and that the business has enhanced his overall growth by teaching him how to effectively communicate.

“I’ve always been honest to the customers, even if it means losing a sale,” said John. “The store made me an overall better person and has greatly impacted my life.”

The store has an old time flair with a drawstring elevator and its original safe from the store’s first opening located in the rear of the store.

“We have two levels, and so if someone couldn’t make it up the stairs, we’d put a chair on this board and pull them up,” said Nancy.

Romine’s Furniture offered a variety of tailored services. Employees would deliver products and collect payment to make things easier for that customer.

The couple expressed that city residents were shocked that the store was going out of business.

“The business has been here for so long that customers just would say that they couldn’t imagine the business not being here,” Nancy said.

The building has been sold to Jack McCard, who, according to the Romines, has mentioned possibly turning the store back into three separate buildings putting in lofts on top of the businesses.

“The lofts and business would be a new concept for the Quitman area,” Nancy said.

Years down the road, the Romines hope to see the building being used and helping to making the city of Quitman prosper.

“That’s why we’re so thankful Jack has purchased the building,” said Nancy. “It would be a void for the area if it were left empty.”

The Romines would like to thank the city of Quitman and all surrounding areas for their love and support.

“The customers tell us they’re going to miss us, but they’re the ones who are going to be missed,” the Romines said.

John has plans on managing a storage unit with his co-owners and the couple will travel.

“My grandfather sold to people, and my dad sold to those people’s children,” said John. “And now I’m selling to their children. We’ve always tried to find things of good value, good quality, and that doesn’t cost them an arm and a leg.”

After three generations and 95 years of service, Romine’s Furniture has become a household name in the Quitman area and has been quoted as a well-reflected pillar in the community.

For more information, call John or Nancy Romine at (229) 263-7603 or Tina Herring at (229) 263-9085.