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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW UPDATE: Crater Lake fire grows to 150 acres; PCT closure extended ... Medford Purple Parrot robber still at large ... Mother of alleged shooter says she lived in fear ... UPDATE: Crater Lake fire grows to 150 acres; PCT closure extended ... Medford Purple Parrot robber still at large ... Mother of alleged shooter says she lived in fear ... LOCAL BUSINESS Eads Furniture to close in August The company began in 1901 Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 5:41 PM Updated Jul 28, 2016 at 10:31 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 5:41 PM Updated Jul 28, 2016 at 10:31 PM » Social News Eads Furniture & Appliance will call it a day at the end of August. In some ways, it was just a matter of time before one of the longest-running enterprises in Southern Oregon shuttered. Tucked away between South Riverside Avenue and the freeway since 1963, the firm — once known by its "Hard to find, easy to afford" slogan — has morphed from moving and storage, to retail and storage, to simply storage and warehousing. The world and retailing have labored through immense changes since 1942 when Leon and Doris Evans bought the company founded by the Eads brothers, Louis and Charles, in 1901. "As markets change and life changes, you have to evaluate what makes the most sense for your future," said Trina Helfrich, who operates the company with her husband, Brett. "Retail didn't make sense any more. We truly started talking about transitioning out of it a couple of years ago. Five months ago, we knew it was time. The family operates 182 storage units, five 4,000-square-foot warehouses and will convert its 10,000-square-foot furniture building into storage space. "Things will be much simpler," Helfrich said. "We also run a rental investment company, so this will allow us to slow down a little bit and focus on one thing." Generations of local residents bought furniture and appliances from Eads, but over the years competition stiffened and big-box stores offered customers deals they couldn't refuse. "Lowe's sells a refrigerator we carried for $36 less than I can buy it," Helfrich said. "I can't price match that." When the Evanses acquired the business in 1942, they made it a Monday through Friday business, freeing up the weekends. Their grandson Brett and his wife preferred it that way as well. "The national stores are open seven days a week from 10 in the morning to 9 at night," Trina Helfrich said. "It just wasn't going to work that way for our family. Brett's mom retired, his grandparents have passed away, and no one else wanted to commit more of their life to it." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles .31. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 5:41 PM Updated Jul 28, 2016 at 10:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501