Turk File

Paul Michael Co. expands River Ranch space

by Leslie Turk

Paul Michael Company now has more floor space to display a wider variety of its furniture and accessories, many of which are designed by founder Paul Michael himself and produced at its Dermott, Ark., facility.

Paul Michael Company now has more floor space to display a wider variety of its furniture and accessories, many of which are designed by founder Paul Michael himself and produced at its Dermott, Ark., facility.

Paul Michael Company, which expanded into Lafayette in 2009, opening a store on Kaliste Saloom Road in River Ranch, has consumed the vacant 8,000 square feet of space connected to its existing store, bringing its total floor space to 31,000 square feet.

All in the family: Paul Michael Company's Jake, Debbie and Elizabeth Michael
Photo by Robin May

"We are very pleased to finally have a venue to showcase our furniture line that we design and make," Paul Michael tells ABiz. "In the past we have been limited in space, and the new addition is dedicated to our furniture line and offerings - all unusual pieces not found in a conventional furniture retail setting." The company took over the space previously occupied by Pippin McGee.

By eliminating the middle man, Michael says he is able to offer his pieces at much lower price points. The company's exclusive furniture line is made in Arkansas out of reclaimed materials and woods, many of them salvaged from South Louisiana structures.

Headquartered "quite literally, in a cotton field" in Lake Village, Ark., the company also has a woodshop in Dermott, Ark., that operates seven days a week. "The line is of superior quality at very favorable prices," Michael says.

Paul Michael Company expanded to Monroe in 2003, and three years later opened a store in Canton, Texas. It has a total of four retail locations.

Michael's wife and co-founder of the company, Debbie, and two of the couple's children, Elizabeth and Jake, are involved in running the business. - Leslie Turk