As National Small Business Month highlights the impact of locally owned companies, one Central Illinois business is celebrating a milestone only a small few can match.

Wright’s Furniture and Flooring is marking 137 years of continuous operation, spanning five generations of family ownership and decades of change from the Great Depression to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business has long been a staple in the region. Company President John Wright says that longevity wouldn’t be possible without strong community support.

The company’s roots date back to 1889, when G.W. Wright purchased a local furniture store and funeral parlor, four years before the village of Dieterich was officially incorporated.

What started as a small storefront has since grown into multiple locations. The store is now employing around 40 people across Central Illinois.

In recent years, the company has expanded beyond furniture and flooring. The store has now launched its own mattress line, known as “Wright Sleep”, along with personalized interior design services through “Wright at Home.”

That growth also includes giving back to the community. Two years ago, the Wright family helped lead efforts to open a 24-hour fitness facility in Dieterich, now known as the Wright Family Center, offering courts, workout space, and community event rooms.

The company also launched “Wright’s Cares,” supporting organizations like St. Jude, Meals on Wheels, Blessings in a Backpack, and the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.

Vice President Alex Wright says relationships remain the foundation of their success.

Today, Wright’s Furniture and Flooring continues to serve customers across the region, all while carrying on a 137-year-long legacy.

For more information on Wright's Furniture, visit www.wrightsfurniture.com/