The following article appeared in the October 24, 2024, edition of the Corvallis Gazette Times/Albany Democrat Herald.

END OF AN ERA IN CORVALLIS

After 123 years, Blackledge Furniture is set to close

ELLA HUTCHERSON

                          JESS HUME-PANTUSO PHOTOS, MID-VALLEY MEDIA

Eric and Judy Blackledge sit on one of the many couches situated against beautiful chairs, tables, and home decor inside Blackledge Furniture.  The couple took over operations of the business in 1970.

                               JESS HUME-PANTUSO, MID-VALLEY MEDIA

Eric Blackledge has a deep connection to Corvallis and believes heavily in supporting small business.  In addition to owning and operating the furniture store, Blackledge is a founding member of the Oregon Downtown Development Association.

 
BUSINESS
The spacious interior of Blackledge Furniture is filled with the sound of gentle piano. The floor is furnished with soft couches, plush leather chairs and sleek coffee tables. It's the kind of business that looks settled — like a well oiled machine that's been around for a while.

And the thing is, it has been, but not for much longer. After 123 years, the oldest family business in Corvallis and second oldest furniture store in Oregon is closing down to make way for something new.

Fourth-generation owners Eric and Judy Blackledge have announced their retirement after owning and operating Blackledge Furniture since 1970. A proposal to develop a riverfront hotel and apartment complex that utilizes their warehouse property provided the couple — who have always supported downtown's revitalization — with the incentive they needed to take a bow.

Eric Blackledge said he feels sad, in some ways, to see the store go.

"It's not only been our life, but it's a business that has had four generations involved in selling furniture to people in Corvallis," he said. "We've always enjoyed the thought that it's something that creates homes, and homes create families."

The history of the business

According to a news release prepared by Judy Blackledge, the original iteration of the store was opened in 1901, after Oliver J. Blackledge brought his family to Corvallis from Iowa. It was located on Southwest Second Street, which at the time was made of dirt and bordered by wooden sidewalks.

Back then, the business sold furniture, wallpaper, paint, lighting and musical instruments. Oliver Blackledge served as the Benton County coroner for several years, and in keeping with that fact, the business also sold caskets and performed undertaking services. These were discontinued somewhere in the 1920s and 30s, when the business added radios and increased its furniture selection.

After World War II, the business was purchased by Oliver J. Blackledge's grandson, Robert Blackledge, along with his wife, Peggy Blackledge. They expanded its offerings to include appliances, televisions, carpeting and drapes.

Eric and Judy Blackledge bought the business in 1970 and moved it to its current location on the corner of Southwest Second Street and Jefferson Avenue.

The size of the new location and the adjacent warehouse allowed Blackledge Furniture to off er the largest selection in the area of national brands, such as La-Z-Boy, Thomasville and Simmons, according to the release.

Out with the old, in with the new

Being with the store for so long has been "gratifying," Judy Blackledge said. Generations of Corvallis residents now have familiarity with the store — and anecdotes to share with the owners.

"People remember that we were their son's first job," she said. The couple takes great pride in their participation in the community, both inside the store and out.

Eric Blackledge — who's been heavily involved in supporting small businesses and economic development, and was a founder of the Oregon Downtown Development Association — said they've been trying for some time to find a buyer for Blackledge Furniture, as they have no children to continue their line of succession.

This was partially for the customers' sake and partially for the employees, he said.

But at this point, it hasn't panned out. The sales staff is sad to lose their relationships with their customers, he added.

When the riverfront development opportunity came along, he said it was time to make a decision. The Blackledges are happy to see their warehouse go toward the project, which is spearheaded by Eugene-based Obie Companies. It will include 75 hotel rooms and 92 residences located in the same building and has the express goal of revitalizing downtown.

Eric Blackledge still hopes to see the storefront portion redeveloped into a retail facility that will continue to serve the community, ideally another furniture store. But given changes to the economy, the amount of capital investment necessary and the level of skill required, it's difficult to find someone who wants to pick up the baton, he said.

What's changed, what hasn't

When Eric Blackledge looks back on the last 50 years, he'll remember his experiences helping customers, as well as the changes he and Judy Blackledge have witnessed in Corvallis — not just downtown but in the community as a whole.

"The period that we've been in business has pretty much been the period over which Corvallis has grown and changed," he said.

He said he's observed the importance of Oregon State University and the value of a healthy economy, and he's seen downtown lose some of its business base.

Despite this, it remains the primary comparison goods shopping center in the community, he said, and he hopes it stays that way. But he believes it will take some investment to ensure this.

Despite all the changes, many problems that exist now, such as a lack of affordable housing, have been problems the city has been trying to deal with for many, many years, he added.

The community always has been important to the Blackledges, and after their retirement, they'll continue to live in Corvallis, at least part-time.

For you bargain hunters: Everything that remains is on sale through the end of the year, when Blackledge Furniture aims to offcially close.

Groundbreaking on the riverfront hotel and apartments will begin in February.

Blackledge Furniture in Corvallis is set to close at the end of 2024 after 123 years in business.  The fourth generation owners, Eric and Judy Blackledge, look toward retirement and closing the oldest family-owned Corvallis business.

 
Ella Hutcherson is a University of Oregon graduate who hails originally from the Southern Oregon coast. She covers Corvallis city government, business, homelessness and arts, as well as the cities of Philomath and Millersburg. She can be reached at ella.hutcherson@lee.net.