About Us

Our Story

Dean’s Furniture has been a proud part of the Alma, Arkansas community since 1960, when it was founded by Jerry Dean and his father, following the success of their family’s produce business at the same location. What started as a side venture—reselling factory seconds and freight-damaged pieces from the many furniture manufacturers in nearby Fort Smith—quickly evolved into a full-fledged business with a reputation for quality, value, and integrity.

Their beginnings were humble: a converted garage that once serviced produce trucks became the original showroom. Over the years, the building expanded room by room—often with the Dean family doing the labor themselves. By the mid-1980s, Dean’s had grown to include 40,000 square feet of warehouse space and became known for stocking entire train carloads of high-end furniture. One memorable moment: the team once bought 900 dining chairs from Thomasville Furniture, filling churches, garages, and homes just to store it all.

Through recessions, tax law changes, 9/11, the housing crash of 2008, and COVID-19, Dean’s has remained resilient. In the hardest moments—like the massive tax losses in the late ’70s or dealing with health issues among leadership in recent years—family commitment and community trust kept the doors open.

Now in its third generation of involvement, Dean’s Furniture has grown into one of the most established furniture stores in the region, still operating from its original location on Highway 71. While the building has grown and the business has changed, the values remain the same.

Why We Do It

At Dean’s, we believe everyone deserves a home they love—and quality furniture that lasts. Whether you’re furnishing a new home, upgrading a living room, or designing an office, we work with all kinds of customers: homeowners, apartment renters, churches, banks, nursing homes, and commercial spaces alike.

Our wide network of trusted suppliers gives us access to millions of dollars in inventory, allowing us to offer high-end and mid-range products that stand the test of time. We specialize in well-built furniture—not promotional pieces—and help guide customers through every decision, whether they come in with a designer or just need help picking out a new recliner.

Our customers describe us as easy to work with, no-pressure, and knowledgeable. That’s because we care. We love this business not just for what we sell, but for what it represents: craftsmanship, comfort, and a connection to home. Many of the pieces we carry are handmade, heirloom-quality, and built with real pride—and that’s exactly how we try to run our business, too.

We’re here for the people who want something better than cookie-cutter. People who appreciate artistry and durability. People who understand that good furniture isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it lasts, how it fits your life, and how it makes your house feel like home.