HARMAN’S TO CLOSE. A longtime Sullivan family business, Harman’s Home Furnishings, will close its doors in late June. The business has been a mainstay in downtown Sullivan since the 1930s.

By James B. Bartle
There is no doubt the tough economic conditions have been rough waters for many local businesses to tread and this week another local business decided to close its doors soon after some 73 years of combined business.
Dean Harman, owner of the former Western Auto/Western Furniture, known in recent years as Harman’s Home Furnishings, 20 West Main, decided to have a liquidation sale and close the business.
“The economic conditions over the last couple years have been very tough. I just decided that it couldn’t go on and the best thing to do was to close the business,” said Harman. “We expect to close the business sometime around June 19. I’ve really enjoyed the business through the years and the relationships I’ve had with the customers. I would like to have carried on for at least another ten years, but it’s just time.”
The closure of the business is not just a financial impact on Harman, the loss of another community business in Sullivan, but a somewhat family loss as well.
Harman, as well as many of his cousins and other family members, have been employed or owned the business since the late 1950s.
“I purchased what was then Western Auto and Western Furniture in 1992 from my uncle, John Scott,” said Harman. “We had Western Auto up to 2004 when the corporation decided to close the chain. Uncle John purchased the business in the 1950s from Lee McDaniel who owned the store in 1938 and he had purchased it in its early operations.”
Harman stated that the business, since it was first started, has been a part of downtown Sullivan. The present location was built after World War Two by McDaniel, according to Harman.
“There were several additions put onto the store, with the last coming in 1969 when the furniture store was added by Uncle John,” said Harman. “Most of my cousins, my sister, and other relatives have been employed here through the years.”
Harman stated that he has four employees and will continue to sell the merchandise at liquidation prices through June 19 or until all inventory is gone.
“I plan to either sell the building or lease it in the future, once we have closed the store down,” said Harman. “As for myself, I’ve not decided what I’m gonna do from here.”
Harman’s carries a number of major product lines in appliances, furniture and some remaining lawn and garden parts and supplies.