Whether you live in Springville or just pass through occasionally, you might notice a charming furniture shop on Main Street, across from Central Bank. Vaud Hanks and Son is a family-owned and operated business that offers quality home furnishings and Speed Queen washers, dryers, and accessories. Opened by Vaud and Mel Hanks in 1976, Vaud Hanks and Son celebrates its 50th year of business this year.
Four of Vaud Hanks’ children have worked at the family’s furniture store over the years, and daughters, Lesa Swenson and Laurie Hanks still work there today. Swenson, who has worked at the store for over 40 years, said that there are many things that make her family’s furniture store an asset to the community.
“People like to shop here because they know us and they like the service that we give,” she said. “A lot of them, we know by name. Some of them have become really dear friends over the years. We can still be pretty competitive, even compared to the big-name stores, but the experience is more personal, I think.”
Besides the small-town appeal and quality service, people also love to shop at Vaud Hanks and Son because it offers a selection of furniture that isn’t easy to find elsewhere. Swenson said that color and custom furniture options make her family’s furniture store unique.
“We usually try to carry more colorful furniture,” she said. “Sometimes, some big-name furniture stores carry a lot of browns and grays that are more appealing to the masses. We bring in a little more color.”
Vaud Hanks and Son also offers complimentary design services and custom ordering options for customers. Swenson said she enjoys helping customers find furniture that complements their carpet or other features in their home. She also helps customers select their preferred furniture style, fabric, pillows, and any other customizable options available.
Unless the custom-ordered fabric is a higher grade than the fabric already on the floor model furniture, it won’t cost any extra to place a special order, Swenson explained. Once the order is placed, customers generally only have to wait eight to 10 weeks to receive it.
Though furniture is the most popular product offered at Vaud Hanks and Son, customers also come from all over Utah to purchase Speed Queen washers and dryers there.
“With Speed Queen, you pay a little more in the beginning, but it’s all metal parts and they just last,” Swenson said. “It’s like buying a washer 50 years ago that would last 25 years.”
When asked about the family’s vision for the future, Swenson said that they plan to keep the store right where it is, with the goal of serving the residents of Springville and surrounding cities, whom they’ve come to know and love.
“We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to keep this business going despite all the new competition around,” she said. “We’ve made a good name for ourselves and have a good reputation, and that’s always something to be proud of.”
Swenson invites regular and new customers to stop by her family’s furniture store and enjoy the small-town appeal, exceptional service, and quality furniture selection. Vaud Hanks and Son is located at 229 South Main, Springville.
