After 140 Years, Turk Furniture Still “Paying Attention to Details” in Furnishing Homes

JOLIET, IL — In an era where many traditional retailers have struggled to survive, Turk Furniture is marking an extraordinary milestone: 140 years in business. Since its founding in 1885 by Joseph Turk, the company has anchored itself as a trusted source for quality home furnishings in Joliet and surrounding communities, all while adapting to changing consumer trends and retail landscapes.

Today, Turk Furniture operates multiple locations — including Joliet, Bradley, Ottawa, and La Salle — serving homeowners with a wide range of furniture, décor, and professional design services. Over the decades, the company has built a reputation not just on inventory but on customer experience and attention to detail.

A Legacy Rooted in Quality and Service

Owner and president Michael Turk explains that the core philosophy of the business remains unchanged from when his great-great-grandfather opened its doors: offer quality, affordable furniture that meets the needs of every customer. This steadfast commitment has fostered deep loyalty, with many shoppers returning time and again for new pieces or redesign advice.

“Many furniture stores didn’t make it through the internet age,” Turk said, reflecting on the retail turbulence of the past few decades. “We pay attention to details.” These details, he explained, include price guarantees, tight operational systems, accurate merchandise tracking, and fair return credits — all contributing to a customer-first approach that has kept the business thriving.

Turk notes that the store currently carries around 4,000 items, highlighting the breadth of choices available in-store — a feature that has helped sustain foot traffic and in-person sales even as online shopping grows.

From Horse-Drawn Deliveries to Modern Showrooms

The company’s history mirrors significant chapters in American commerce. In its earliest years, Turk Furniture sold both furniture and men’s clothing and even delivered purchases by horse and wagon. During the Great Depression, the store implemented lenient payment plans to support customers through hard economic times — a testament to its community-focused ethos.

Turk operated in downtown Joliet until 2001, when the flagship store moved to its current location on Ring Road behind the Louis Joliet Mall. Additional locations were established over many decades, with stores opening in Bradley (currently the corporate headquarters), La Salle, and Ottawa, while some others — such as Bolingbrook and Naperville — have since closed.

Family Ties and Generational Continuity

Turk Furniture has maintained a strong family presence throughout its history. Michael’s brothers Frank and Steve serve as vice president and secretary respectively, while his son Austin Turk manages the Joliet showroom — representing the fifth generation of family involvement in the business.

Michael Turk shared that he originally considered a career in accounting but was drawn into the family business in 1981, after summers spent helping out during high school and college. His long tenure reflects the passion and personal commitment that have helped guide the company through both prosperous and challenging years — including the difficult economic periods of 2017 and 2018, which he says the business has weathered successfully.

The Enduring Value of In-Person Furnishing

Despite the growth of e-commerce, Turk stresses the importance of in-person shopping for furniture — a product category where tactile experiences matter. Customers benefit from sitting in chairs, assessing upholstery comfort, testing recline functions, and judging scale and depth of pieces — experiences that can’t yet be fully replicated online.

With hundreds of fabric options and personalized service offerings — including home design and decorating support — Turk Furniture continues to attract customers who value hands-on engagement and expert guidance in crafting their living spaces.