A new, free-standing Ashley Furniture HomeStore is scheduled to open by late August on a 4.4-acre site on Capital Circle Southeast, just north of Apalachee Parkway.

The 45,000-square-foot building will “have its own identity and own presence,” and it will be a “significant improvement” to the current 30,000-square-foot Ashley store, located in a nearby shopping center, said Russell Price, president of Price Commercial. The company is developing the project for owner Russell Turner.

“Ashley’s product selection has been growing, and we just haven’t been able to show it in the existing store,” said Turner, who also owns the Turner’s Fine Furniture stores in Tallahassee and Thomasville, Turner’s Fine Furniture Outlet in Tallahassee and other Ashley locations in the southeast.

The new Ashley building, which features a 60-foot tower at the entrance, will have better lighting, an updated interior and space for 50 percent more inventory, he said. “We’ve seen the difference it makes.”

“Ultimately, (Ashley company officials) would like to see the franchisees go to these stores if it makes business sense,” Price said.

“It’s just a completely different look,” Turner said, noting it is about a $6 million investment, including the building, inventory and landscaping.

The current store will have a moving sale soon, he said. “Everything will all be brand new - new inventory in the new store.”

The Ashley Furniture HomeStores only sell products from Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., which was established in 1945.

“We’ll have more style categories,” Turner said, adding the store eventually will add more employees in various departments.

Price Commercial also is representing Turner in the leasing of the current Ashley store, Price said.

There have been some inquiries, he said. “We’re still looking for the right tenant.”He noted the general contractor for the new store is Sperry and Associates Inc., while the engineering services are provided by Varnum and Associates. Regions Bank and GE Commercial Finance are providing the construction loan and permanent financing for the project, he said.

Information from: www.tallahassee.com

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