MERRY'S TRASH AND TREASURES

WHAT IT IS: Furniture and antiques dealer

OWNERS: Brad, Greg and Bill Merry

ADDRESS: 1236 Broad St., Augusta

IN OPERATION: 45 years

EMPLOYEES: Nine

WHAT DO YOU DO? (Brad) We sell furniture. We get it from all over. We specialize in period-style furniture and antiques. We do a good amount of buying in the States but we also import from Asia and overseas.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? (Bill) My grandfather went into the furniture business in 1914 on the 1200 block of Broad. My father opened State Furniture Co. in 1952, and opened Merry's after selling that. He started off with used mattresses, stoves, TV sets and developed into fine, period-style furniture and antiques. Our family has been on the 1200 block of Broad for 93 years, four generations.

(Brad) We both grew up in the business. We started working here when we were 11 and 12 years old.

STRANGEST CLIENT/INCIDENT: (Bill) I got a call for a submarine one time. I also get callers wanting to know when we're going to pick up their trash.

WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS? (Brad) The building of the relationships with the customer base over the years. We know most of our customers by name.

(Bill) I love Augusta. I love Broad Street. I used to live on Broad Street. Our main concern is our service and our repeat business. We're selling to three (generations) of some families.

WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS: I don't think there's anything.

WHY YOUR BUSINESS STANDS OUT: (Brad) The amount of merchandise that we carry. Our prices are going to be as competitive as anyone's. We offer incredible courtesy to our customers. We have built up a reputation of honesty and integrity, and that's why we stand out.

ORGANIZATIONS/EVENTS INVOLVED IN: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce

AWARDS: Best of Augusta from Augusta Magazine for several years.

YOUR BEST BUSINESS ADVICE: There's no substitute for hard work. It's so important to extend service and courtesy to your customer base.

WHERE YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN FIVE YEARS/10 YEARS? We hope we see it right here in downtown Augusta. We don't plan on going anywhere, and we'd like to have a bigger presence.

MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS PRINCIPLES: Courtesy, honesty, and integrity.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE BUSINESS: Staying on top of an ever-changing market. There's such a price-driven market with the introduction of imports, especially from China.

ROLE MODELS/INSPIRATIONS: Our father, Bill.