Darvin Furniture & Mattress
| Company type | Private (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Furniture retail |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Louis Darvin |
| Headquarters | Orland Park , United States |
Area served | Chicago metropolitan area |
Key people | Will Harris (President) |
| Products | Furniture, mattresses |
Darvin Furniture & Mattress is a furniture and mattress retailer serving the Chicago metropolitan area, with its headquarters located in Orland Park, Illinois. Established in 1920 by Louis Darvin, the company has maintained family ownership across three generations and is presently managed by President Will Harris. In 2021, the business achieved revenues of US$100 million and secured the 71st position among U.S. furniture retailers, highlighting its notable market presence and ongoing expansion within the sector.
History
The origins of Darvin Furniture trace back to 1920 when Louis Darvin began his career selling furniture directly to customers in Chicago neighborhoods. By 1939, he partnered with his son David to inaugurate the first Darvin Furniture store in Chicago’s West Pullman district. The company grew steadily, moving into larger premises such as a 50,000-square-foot showroom on the South Side by the late 1940s. During the 1970s, David’s sons Steve and Marty joined the enterprise, culminating in the opening of a new facility in Orland Park in 1980, which has undergone five expansions since then.
In 2000, Darvin established a substantial distribution center spanning 218,000 square feet in Mokena, Illinois. The firm continued to invest strategically with the addition of a 10,000-square-foot Mattress Gallery in 2010 and a 35,000-square-foot Clearance & Outlet Center in 2015. Embracing technological advancements, Darvin launched an online sales platform in 2017 to broaden its customer base and diversify sales avenues.
A pivotal change occurred in 2020 when Darvin transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), shifting to employee ownership. This restructuring introduced Will Harris as the company’s first president from outside the founding family. By that time, Darvin Furniture & Mattress had become the leading furniture and mattress retailer within the Chicago region, reflecting strong strategic direction and consistent operational success.
Community
Darvin Furniture & Mattress maintains an active role within the Chicago community by collaborating with local charities and supporting nonprofit organizations. Its community involvement includes fundraising efforts, donating furniture, aiding crisis centers, and providing support for individuals with autism.
Awards and recognition
- Ranked among Top-100 Furniture Retailers by Furniture Today Magazine – 2018
- Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) – since 2018
- Honored by City of Hope
- Recipient of Illinois Retail Merchants Association Retailer of the Year – 2016
- Awarded Orland Park Community Pride Award – 2016
- Named Best Furniture in Northwest Indiana by Northwest Indiana Times – 2012, 2015
- Earned Furniture Today Leadership Award – 2018
- Honored with Lifetime Achievement - Retail Giant by Furniture Today Magazine – 2021