Havertys
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedAmerican furniture retailer founded in Atlanta in 1885.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Havertys, formally Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., is an American furniture retailer whose roots trace to a single Atlanta store opened by brothers James Joseph Haverty and Michael Haverty in 1885. The company sells furniture and home accessories for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices and other residential spaces. Its retail footprint has historically been concentrated in the South and central United States, supported by showrooms, distribution facilities and an increasingly integrated digital shopping channel. The business grew from its original Atlanta operation through a series of partnerships and expansion initiatives. In 1889, the Haverty brothers joined Amos G. Rhodes to create Rhodes-Haverty Furniture Company. J.J. Haverty subsequently expanded westward, acquired interests in smaller showrooms and later returned to Atlanta to develop a broader store network. By 1908, the business had 17 stores. The partnership with Rhodes was later dissolved amicably, with the stores divided between the parties; J.J. Haverty retained the Atlanta operation and restored the Haverty name. Havertys expanded across the Southern states during the twentieth century, adapting its real-estate strategy as retail activity moved from traditional downtown districts toward suburban shopping areas. The company also invested in larger facilities, including a six-story Atlanta headquarters building opened in 1924. It became a public company in 1929, only weeks before the stock-market crash. The reference material characterizes the company as financially strong enough to endure the difficult years that followed. Leadership remained closely associated with the Haverty family for several generations. Clarence Haverty, J.J.'s son, became president in 1938. His son Rawson later led the company, followed by other descendants and family-linked executives, including Frank McGaughey Jr., Clancy Ridley and Clarence H. Smith. This continuity was combined with operational changes: postwar store remodeling, suburbanization, showroom revitalization in the late 1980s, private-label product development beginning around 2000, and the expansion of online commerce during the 2000s. Havertys' merchandise strategy increasingly emphasized furniture designed, sourced and produced for sale under the Havertys brand rather than relying exclusively on nationally distributed third-party products. The retailer also developed distribution capacity, including a southeastern distribution center in Braselton, Georgia, and later operated multiple distribution centers serving more than 100 showrooms in 16 states according to the cited reference material. Its website was revamped in 2007, and online purchasing became available by March 2008. Beyond retail operations, the company has supported community and charitable initiatives, including United Way, the American Red Cross, cancer-related organizations and other local causes. It became a national sponsor of the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2010. The company has also reported recycling investments and introduced an eco-oriented furniture line in 2009. Havertys remains a publicly traded, primarily domestic furniture retailer with a regional-market identity and a mix of showroom, private-label, distribution and e-commerce operations.
History
Havertys began in 1885, when J.J. Haverty and his brother Michael opened a furniture store at 14 East Hunter Street in Atlanta, Georgia. The business moved to a larger location within several years. In 1889, the brothers entered a partnership with neighboring furniture merchant Amos G. Rhodes, creating Rhodes-Haverty Furniture Company. J.J. Haverty later moved with his family to St. Louis to pursue expansion and acquired interests in several smaller showrooms. He returned to Atlanta in 1894 and resumed an active role in opening additional locations. By 1908, the company operated 17 stores. The relationship with Rhodes eventually ended through an amicable division of the business. The stores were apportioned between the partners, while J.J. Haverty purchased the principal Atlanta location and restored the Haverty Furniture Company name. The company then continued expanding through the South. Its Atlanta headquarters moved into a larger six-story building in 1924. J.J. Haverty and Rhodes separately collaborated on the Rhodes-Haverty Building, an important Atlanta landmark that was reportedly the city's tallest structure until 1954. Havertys entered the public markets in 1929. Its stock sale occurred on October 1, only weeks before the Wall Street crash. The company entered the Depression with a comparatively strong financial position and survived the ensuing economic difficulties. Clarence Haverty, J.J.'s son, had advanced from basic store work into management and was formally named president in 1938, while his father became chairman. J.J. Haverty died in October 1939. World War II constrained the company because furniture production materials were rationed. After the war, demand for household goods increased, allowing Havertys to remodel older stores and open new ones. Rawson Haverty, Clarence's son, returned from military service and became corporate secretary. By 1955, the business had 38 stores in ten states. Rawson later became president, and Clarence died in 1960. During the 1960s and 1970s, retail patterns shifted toward suburban locations. Rawson Haverty guided the company through the move away from traditional downtown stores and remained president and chief executive officer until becoming chairman in 1984. Frank McGaughey Jr., a member of the company since 1947, then became president and later added the chief executive title. In the late 1980s, Havertys undertook a broad store-renovation program involving improved lighting, displays and, at some locations, expanded floor space. The last downtown Atlanta store was eventually closed, although the company continued to be a major retailer in the metropolitan area. John E. Slater became president and CEO in 1994 after McGaughey's retirement. In 1998, the stock listing transferred from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange. The company reached 100 stores around the turn of the century and began building a more distinctive proprietary merchandise assortment. In 2000, Havertys introduced its own furniture line, and internally branded merchandise subsequently became a substantial part of sales. The early twenty-first century brought further family leadership and infrastructure investment. Clarence H. Ridley became chairman after Rawson Haverty retired from the board and assumed the title chairman emeritus. Clarence H. Smith, J.J. Haverty's great-grandson, became president and CEO in 2002 after working across different areas of the business. Havertys also built a southeastern distribution center in Braselton, Georgia, which later expanded substantially. Rawson Haverty died in 2007 and Frank McGaughey Jr. died in 2008. Havertys modernized its digital presence through a website redevelopment in 2007 and began accepting online orders by March 2008. In 2010, L. Phillip Humann succeeded Ridley as board chairman, with Ridley becoming chairman emeritus. In 2012, Clarence H. Smith succeeded Humann as chairman, while Humann remained on the board as lead director. The company has since operated as a publicly traded furniture retailer serving a primarily domestic, South and central United States market through showrooms, distribution centers, proprietary merchandise and e-commerce.
- 2008
Online sales begin
[1]After a website redesign, Havertys begins accepting online purchases.
- 2002
Southeastern distribution center built
[1]The company builds a distribution center in Braselton, Georgia, to support its southeastern operations.
- 2000
Private-label initiative begins
[1]Havertys starts developing furniture designed and sourced for exclusive sale under its own brand.
- 1998
NYSE listing
[1]Havertys transfers its stock listing from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1955
Thirty-eight stores in ten states
[1]The retailer's postwar expansion brings its store count to 38 across ten states.
- 1929
Public offering
[1]Havertys becomes publicly traded shortly before the stock-market crash.
- 1924
Atlanta headquarters expands
[1]The company moves into a larger six-story headquarters building in Atlanta.
- 1908
Network reaches 17 stores
[1]Following expansion and the eventual separation from Rhodes, the company operates 17 stores.
- 1889
Rhodes-Haverty partnership formed
[1]The Haverty brothers partner with Amos G. Rhodes to create Rhodes-Haverty Furniture Company.
- 1885
First Atlanta store opens
[1]J.J. Haverty and Michael Haverty establish the furniture business in downtown Atlanta.
Products and positioning
Regional, mid-market American home-furnishings retailer combining showroom service, proprietary merchandise and online shopping.
Furniture
Living room furniture
Havertys sells living-room groupings and individual pieces such as sofas, sectionals, chairs, tables and occasional furniture. These collections form one of the retailer's core showroom categories and are offered in multiple upholstery, finish and style combinations.
Furniture
Bedroom furniture
Bedroom offerings include beds, headboards, dressers, chests, nightstands and related storage pieces. Havertys presents these products both as coordinated collections and as separate items intended to be combined across finishes and design styles.
Furniture
Dining room furniture
The dining assortment includes tables, chairs, benches, servers and related case goods. The category serves customers furnishing formal dining rooms as well as more flexible everyday eating areas.
Home accessories
Home accessories and decor
In addition to large furniture, Havertys offers decorative and functional accessories used to complete residential rooms. The assortment supports its room-based merchandising model by allowing customers to coordinate furniture with accent pieces, lighting, rugs and other decor.
Private-label furniture · 2000
Havertys private-label furniture
Beginning with a small assortment in 2000, Havertys developed furniture designed, sourced and produced for exclusive sale through its retail business. The private-label program became an important part of the company's merchandise strategy and differentiated the retailer from stores relying mainly on widely distributed brands.
Sustainable furniture · 2009
Eco-friendly furniture line
Havertys introduced a furniture line described as environmentally friendlier in 2009. The line incorporated design elements intended to reduce its environmental footprint, although the available reference does not provide a complete product catalog or ongoing status.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Making Strides Against Breast Cancer sponsorship
United States
Havertys became a national sponsor of the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, extending the company's charitable activity into a coordinated national cause-marketing and community-support initiative.
Outcome. The reference confirms the sponsorship but does not provide campaign spending, reach or quantified results.
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition support
United States · Atlanta area
Havertys donated furnishings and accessories to families featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Local employees also volunteered on some projects.
Outcome. The reference records donations and employee participation but does not specify the number of homes or total value of contributions.
- Community charitable support
United States · Atlanta area
The company has supported organizations and community institutions including United Way, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the High Museum of Art, MARTA, Saint Joseph's Hospital and charities connected with the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Outcome. Specific contribution amounts and campaign outcomes are not provided in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2009
Introduce an eco-oriented furniture lineProduct launchBackground
The company was pursuing environmental initiatives, including recycling equipment for corrugated material and Styrofoam.
Action taken
Havertys introduced a furniture line with design elements intended to create a smaller environmental footprint.
Aftermath
The available reference does not state the line's commercial performance or whether it remained in the assortment.
2007
Modernize digital commerceStrategyBackground
Growing internet use created an opportunity to supplement physical showrooms with digital product discovery and ordering.
Action taken
Havertys revamped its website and enabled customers to browse products and place online purchases by March 2008.
Aftermath
The initiative established an e-commerce channel; the reference does not disclose online-sales results.
2000
Develop an exclusive Havertys furniture brandStrategyBackground
The retailer sought to develop a more distinctive merchandise assortment rather than relying entirely on externally distributed furniture lines.
Action taken
Havertys began with a small group of proprietary items and expanded furniture designed, sourced and produced for exclusive sale under its own brand.
Aftermath
The reference states that exclusively branded merchandise later represented most of the company's sales volume, but gives no financial amount or precise date for that result.
1998
Move stock listing to the NYSEStrategyBackground
Havertys was already publicly traded and had been listed on NASDAQ.
Action taken
The company transferred its stock listing from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The reference identifies the exchange change but does not provide a quantified effect on trading or valuation.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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