Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Harris Family Furniture in New Hampshire Closing Store After 50 Years
July 27,
2025 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry, Retail Closing 
Harris Family Furniture, who have been in business in New Hampshire since 1965 has had the location in Laconia, NH for 50 years. With stores in Plymouth, Concord and Chichester, the company has chosen to focus on those locations for various reasons. The purchase of the store by Irwin Automotive Group has brought the attention of the city’s Heritage Society because of the age of the store’s location.
The final day of operation will be Aug. 31, or until all furniture stock is sold. The Harris family addressed the closing in a joint statement.
“This decision was not made lightly,” the statement by Harris Family Furniture read. “We’re deeply grateful to the Lakes Region community for their loyalty and support over the last 50 years. As we look to the future, we’re focusing on the continued development of our Signature Stores and offering the best possible experience for today’s furniture shopper.”
Starting July 27, a discount of 40% off the lowest marked price of furniture will be available for the final weeks of operation. Clearance items will be available while they last.
Owner Joanne Harris explained several reasons for the closure. The building, built in 1900, has been difficult to keep up. Another reason is that company President Bill Harris, Joanne’s husband, died in March 2023, and manager Mark Morin died this year. This significant loss of personnel made it difficult for the family to continue operations, especially in Laconia.
“I'm very sad. It's been a cool building, and it's been very, very profitable,” Joanne said. “It's just that I can't really do it without my husband.”
The Heritage Society became involved when a demolition permit was submitted by those buying the property, located at 460 Union Ave. When the property is possibly of historical significance, the city Heritage Commission becomes involved for approval of the permit.
The Heritage Society becomes involved to see if the building meets criteria to be a significant structure. This includes qualities which would meet national or state criteria for designating a historical, cultural or architectural landmark, has an unusual or uncommon design, texture or materials that are not easily reproducible, or the retention of the building will preserve and protect a historic place of interest. Heritage Commission members are considering whether they will approve the demolition permit.
At the July 9 meeting, the Heritage Commission members explained the building was built in 1900, became Wayside Tower Furniture Store in 1954, then Harris Family Furniture in 1975. No other information was known at the time. To give time for more research, the approval of the permit was tabled until the next meeting, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
“Our goal is to bring awareness to the community of potential significant historical places in Laconia that may be worthy of preservation,” she said. “If demolition is the only goal of an owner, then what historical features might be salvaged after a demolition permit is approved.”
This story was originally reported in the Laconia Times.