Raber Patio Enclosures & Furniture in Shipshewana, Indiana, does ordinary high-end patio furniture retailers one better.
Not only will Raber’s sell you the furniture, but it also will build the place where your new furniture will go, whether it’s a patio enclosure, or a sunroom, deck, gazebo, deck or pergola.
Eva Wingard, store manager
Eva Wingard, store manager, says that’s how the store began in 1987, as a business that only built sunrooms, with patio furniture added later. Ervin Raber started the store but has since passed the business down to his son and son-in-law.
The store lists as one of its benefits that it uses only local contractors for its work – and it’s in a good place for that. The Amish are well known for craftsmanship, and LaGrange County in Indiana is home to the third-largest Amish community in the United States.
On the furniture side, Raber’s specializes in poly furniture, which is long-lasting and nearly maintenance-free, whether on the deck, next to a pool or under a gazebo or pavilion.
Wingard says that lower lead times, coupled with lots of product options, will be important going forward.
“We have seen a bit of a slowdown already,” says Wingard. “We are always looking to add to our furniture lines and staying current with the latest trends.”
Along those lines, the store is looking at something of a makeover this year.
“We are getting new designs and products in again after not having much change during the pandemic,” says Wingard.
She added that the store sees communication as a challenge and has implemented new systems to make improvements.
“We are constantly doing sales training with our sales staff to figure out what works with our ideal customer,” said Wingard.
When choosing inventory, the store is similarly intentional. “We look for comfort, quality and good service,” says Wingard.
To market the goods, Wingard says the store depends on a mix of new and old. It’s switched to digital because print advertising doesn’t work as well as it once did. On the tried-and-true side, it sets itself apart from its competitors by concentrating on customer service.
“Our point of view is that competition (with full-line furniture stores) is good, because it brings more people in to our area. We strive to keep our quality top-notch,” says Wingard.
Where online is concerned, “we feel that our customers want the personal touches that we have in our store,” she says.
Any advice for struggling casual retailers? “Know your customer base and cater to them,” says Wingard.
