Longtime Belleville-based business opens new metro-east site as showroom set-up continues

Belleville-based Mueller Furniture has opened its newest location in the former Weekends Only site in Fairview Heights.

It may not look open, since exterior signage hasn’t been installed yet. And the old Weekends Only sign post at the edge of the property is still there.

But Mueller Furniture and Mattress Warehouse Showroom, the fourth location for the nearly 100-year-old family business, opened Friday, Aug. 25.

Owner and president Mark Mueller said in a phone interview that they are still in the process of setting up the store but decided to open anyway.

The site features a 55,000-square-foot showroom lined with shelving and racks that hold some of the store’s inventory.

Much of the showroom is filled with furniture displays, including 100+ Amish dining chairs, according to Mueller.

“Every day we’re continuing to put more things on display,” said Mueller.

He said there’s a big difference between the Fairview Heights and Belleville stores.

Mueller added that they would continue to invest in the Belleville store, maintaining the quality furniture selection and excellent customer service it’s known for.

While Belleville has more traditional styles of furniture, Fairview Heights offers more contemporary pieces.

The Fairview Heights showroom will also have a huge selection of outdoor furniture they didn’t have room for at the other locations, said Mueller.

There is a large clearance area that takes up 15,000-20,000 square feet and features some older inventory that includes pieces acquired during the pandemic.

Mueller Furniture and Mattress Warehouse Showroom will also have the largest mattress gallery in the area with a variety of mattress brands and styles, some exclusive to Mueller Furniture.

He said they counted what was offered at other area mattress stores and retailers and never saw more than 43 mattress brands and styles. So Mueller offers 45.

And the new facility isn’t just a place to store and showcase furniture.

Mueller Furniture and Mattress Warehouse Showroom is now the location for Mueller Furniture, LLC’s centralized operations, administration and support for all existing locations.

Mueller said having everyone under one roof is already improving how the business runs.

Important interdepartmental communications are easier in one place, and the business is able to provide better service to its customers.

As far as a grand opening event goes, Mueller said that at this time, no date is set, but he’s looking at the first couple of weeks in November to celebrate.

Dozens of craftsmen build the Amish furniture that the Mueller stores are known for. The community will have the opportunity to meet some of them at the new site’s grand opening and learn more about how the furniture is made.

He said the Ellisville, Missouri, store’s grand opening was a great time and featured the Steve Ewing Band.

He sees a similar event for Fairview Heights and is looking forward to it.

About Mueller Furniture

Mueller Furniture’s first store opened in 1927 at 1004 E. Main St. in Belleville and was founded by John Mueller.

John Mueller ran the business until his death in 1952, and the business was taken over by his sons, Roland Mueller and Les Mueller.

Ronald died in 1960, and Les retired in the 1970s.

The family’s second store opened in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, in March 2017 by third-generation owner Lynwood Mueller, who retired in January 2022 but is still involved as an owner of the business.

A third store location opened in May 2021 in Ellisville, Missouri.

Mark Mueller is the current – and fourth generation – owner and president of the business.

Mueller Furniture and Mattress Warehouse Showroom is located at 51 Commerce Lane in Fairview Heights.

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 618-233-0667, visit muellerfurniture.com or follow the business on Facebook.