Darsey’s Furniture in Texas Marks 140th Anniversary

November 15, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

George E. Darsey moved to Texas from Georgia in 1873 and worked as a clerk in a general store, carried mail, and for a time worked as a traveling salesman. In 1882 he partnered with John R. Foster in a retail store named John R. Foster and Co. Darsey’s Dry Goods and Furniture Store was established after George bought out his business partner in 1886.

Over the years the business grew, and family members joined the operation. In the early 20th century, the store departmentalized with different product categories (dry goods, groceries, hardware, farm supplies, and furniture) housed in separate storefronts along the same stretch of town. Six Darsey buildings were destroyed by a town fire of 1913, but some of the merchandise from his store was saved. Darsey’s opened for business the next morning on the railroad siding in box cars rented from the railroad.

The early day business of Darsey’s Store included everything from selling mules to buying cotton; from selling whiskey by the barrel to yarn for knitting. In the Augusta news section of the Grapeland Messenger of 1907, their local reporter stated that ‘If you cannot find what you need in the Augusta stores then you should go to Grapeland because George Darsey sells everything from toothpicks to ocean liners.’

Part of the resilience of Darsey’s can be attributed to their understanding the needs of their community and a willingness to explore alternate credit models in challenging economic times. In the early days, farmers would borrow money by the year to grow a crop and pay in the fall when the crop was gathered. Some people simply deposited their receipts with Mr. Darsey and wrote orders against his money.

The business was operated as a country store with different family members in charge of different departments. As the children and grandchildren grew, they were taken into business as egg counters, sackers, and delivery boys until they were trained to handle more responsible positions.

Today, Darsey’s is owned and operated by the fourth, with the fifth generation of the family working alongside. Charley Hill Darsey joined his father, Charley C. Darsey, in the business after graduating from college in 1988. Charley married Tonya K. Darsey in 1990, and in 1993 Charley and Tonya purchased the stores. The grocery division was sold in 1999 and today Darsey’s focuses on furniture and mattresses.

The family tradition continues with Haley Darsey White working side by side with her dad, Charley H. Darsey, just as Charley worked alongside his father, Charley C. Darsey, and his father worked alongside George E. Darsey Jr.

Darsey’s will be celebrating their 140th anniversary December 10-12, 2026, with a series of events and special offers:

- At 12 noon on December 10th, Save@Darseys online promotion with giveaways that include a “HUGE TV,” $140 grocery and gas coupons, and $140 coupons for purchases at Darsey’s.

- Thursday evening, the Darsey’s will gather for a private dinner with family and friends, honoring past and current employees.

- Dec. 11 the Anniversary Sale kicks off with special value doorbusters. At 2 pm Darsey’s will hold a special ceremony to officially celebrate the 140 years and thank their customers

- Celebrations and the sale will continue through Dec. 12.