Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1527954
SIGNATURE MONTANA | 33 f you've ever meandered through a downtown Great Falls pub crawl, sipping your way from Mighty Mo Brewing to the Celtic Cowboy, you might have unknowingly stumbled past a slice of local history. Tucked away in a venerable old hotel, Ferrin's Furniture isn't just any family business—it's a five-story emporium that's been furnishing homes and hearts for 125 years. ink of it as the Cheers of furniture stores, where everybody knows your name and your favorite sofa style. Recently, Ferrin's Furniture celebrated its 125th anniversary— a milestone as sturdy as its finest oak dining tables. is achievement marks them as a standout in the realm of multi-generational businesses, a rare breed in today's fast-paced market. Bill Ferrin, the fourth- generation steward of this historic enterprise, recounts the family's origins with pride. "My great-grandfather was a cabinet maker in New York and Chicago before he moved to Red Wing, Minnesota, to work in a furniture plant. He opened Ferrin's Furniture in 1899, and we moved from Red Wing to Great Falls in 1997," Bill explained. In the beginning, Ferrin's wasn't just about sofas and sideboards— it was also a funeral parlor. Back then, it was quite common for furniture stores to double up in this way, given the overlap in supplies and crasmanship. Over the years, Ferrin's evolved, parting ways with the funeral business, relocating to Montana, and diving headfirst into the digital age. Yet, through all these transformations, a few things have remained constant: the value of family ownership, top-notch customer service, and quality products. I "A legacy of leadership is proudly displayed in Ferrin's Furniture today. This framed newspaper clipping features four generations of the Ferrin family. Pictured are (from top left, clockwise) John J. Ferrin (1889 founder), Frank Ferrin Sr., Bill Ferrin, and Frank Ferrin. Bill Ferrin (R-L) stands proudly on the staircase with his sons, Andy and TJ, the fifth generation of Ferrin's who took over the business in 2020, ensuring the family's century-old tradition of excellence endures.