A longtime local business in downtown Prince Albert, Houle Furniture, is closing its doors later this year. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

By Teena Monteleone

Houle closing shop

Houle Furniture closing: ‘The timing is right.’

Mar 8, 2021 | 9:00 AM

In 1952, gas cost 27¢ per gallon, Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen, and ‘I Love Lucy’ was a hit on TV.

Its also the year Houle Electric Ltd. began operating.

“Talk about history. My Dad, Paul, was responsible for bringing electricity to Albertville. My Uncle Len, who was a contractor, built homes and my Dad wired them. Then, in 1964, with the introduction of coloured TV’s, my Dad started selling them,” Marty Houle told paNOW.

That was the beginning of Houle Furniture. At the age of 12, Marty worked for his father sweeping the floors at the store. Years later, in 1994, he became the owner.

“We’ve definitely evolved over the years and made many changes. I was lucky enough to come in and be a part of it and make it my life’s work.”

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An advertisement promoting the sale of coloured televisions by the Houle brothers in 1964. (Submitted photo/Marty Houle)

But after 27 years for Marty, and after 15 years as a co-owner for Janet Lukan, the time has come for Houle Furniture in downtown Prince Albert to close its doors.

“The timing is just right. We’ve been in business since 1952 and my Dad always said if you have the chance to sell your building and the timing is right, you take it. My Mother is excited. Our family is excited because we’re doing this on our own terms,” said Houle.

Like any business, Houle Furniture experienced its shares of ups and downs over the years.

“We have made a remarkable amount of friends and contacts and we’ve enjoyed the great times of business, but we have also experienced the hard times and the rough aspects of the job like unloading trucks at the age of 56 in -40 degree weather…but we will miss the great contact and the great conversations we have had over the years.”

Prior to taking over the family business, Houle ran his own successful DJ service in Prince Albert. The clients he played wedding music for went on to become clients in his furniture store.

“It’s been a pleasure serving people. They’d say, ‘Marty, you furnished our house’ and they’re thankful and I’m thankful for them for the opportunity to work hard.”

Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to very strong business for Houle Furniture this last year. The decision to close its doors was based entirely on timing.

“We had the opportunity to sell our building on Central Avenue and, while we love what we do, we’re also getting older. Fortunately, we’re all healthy enough to enjoy the next phase of our lives so it just makes sense to move on now,” said Houle.

Marty Houle and Janet Lukan thanked their customers for decades of support. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

Along with the sale of the building, Houle has been given a one-year lease. Eventually, there will be a closing-out sale, the dates of which are still to be determined, but Houle said its likely to start sometime in March.

“I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my life working. I certainly encourage entrepreneurship because starting a small business has incredible challenges but at the same time very rewarding.”

Houle and Lukan are both very thankful for the support of customers, family and friends.

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teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MonteleoneTeena