Schewel Furniture

Schewel Furniture is a family-owned furniture retailer based in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a history dating back to 1897. The company was founded by Elias Schewel, who opened the first store in downtown Lynchburg. Over the decades, Schewel Furniture steadily grew from a single storefront into a recognized regional chain, building its reputation through a commitment to customer service and accessible financing options.

As of November 2025, Schewel Furniture operates 50 stores across Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, focusing its footprint in small and mid-sized communities. The stores offer a wide range of furniture, mattresses, appliances, and electronics, aiming to serve value-conscious households. In recent years, Schewel Furniture has prioritized renovating existing locations and improving its logistics network rather than pursuing rapid expansion into new markets. The company continues to open stores selectively in underserved areas but has not announced plans for major new market entries in 2025.

Schewel Furniture remains under the leadership of the Schewel family, now in its fourth generation, and employs approximately 500 people throughout its retail, warehouse, and corporate operations. The company’s headquarters and central distribution center are still located at its original Lynchburg address, reflecting its deep local roots.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Schewel Furniture stands out for its consistent store format and stable approach to growth. The brand’s preference for freestanding buildings and prominent strip center locations, along with its long-term occupancy posture, contributes to its reliability as a retail tenant. With over a century of operational experience and a strong regional presence, Schewel Furniture is regarded as a credible anchor for commercial properties in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.